{"id":8342,"date":"2016-11-03T13:50:05","date_gmt":"2016-11-03T17:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/winter-is-not-coming\/"},"modified":"2016-11-03T13:51:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T17:51:57","slug":"winter-is-not-coming","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/winter-is-not-coming\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter is not coming\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, what is happening?<\/u><\/p>\n

We are starting to see palpable consequences of the rising temperatures in the U.S. According to a study performed by NASA (National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration), during the last 20 years we have experienced 10 of the hottest years in history3<\/sup>. But the story does not end there, the forecast for the next century appears to be even worse; research has estimated that snow will be almost nonexistent below 11,000 feet4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

\"picture1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Skiers ride a chairlift over dry ground at a Tahoe-area ski resort in California in March 2015. Winter has become increasingly unpredictable in recent decades due to climate change, scientists and ski industry experts say, and the snowsports industry is hurting. Credit: Max Whittaker\/Getty Images. Bagley, By Katherine Bagley InsideClimate. “As Climate Change Imperils Winter, the Ski Industry Frets.”\u00a0InsideClimate News |. N.p., 24 Dec. 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/h6>\n

Skiers ride a chairlift over dry ground at a Tahoe-area ski resort in California in March 2015. Winter has become increasingly unpredictable in recent decades due to climate change, scientists and ski industry experts say, and the snowsports industry is hurting. Credit: Max Whittaker\/Getty Images. Bagley, By Katherine Bagley InsideClimate. “As Climate Change Imperils Winter, the Ski Industry Frets.”\u00a0InsideClimate News |. N.p., 24 Dec. 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/p>\n

Currently, Ski resorts have been force to shorten ski seasons due to the lack of snow, and in many places, slopes near the bottom of the mountain remain closed almost throughout the season. Many owners have started to question themselves if there is a need to relocate their resorts higher up in elevation. But the price of that rearrangement can be even worse, damaging virgin soils and resulting in a vicious circle of events that will exacerbate the issue.<\/p>\n

What can be done about it?<\/u><\/p>\n

Many states have raised their fears regarding this issue, but particularly in Colorado, the resorts are going the extra mile to attack the problem in a timely manner. The Aspen Skiing Company has started to implement campaigns to reduce waste and emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases. The efforts have been centered in becoming more energy efficient through the use of renewable energy systems (i.e. snowmaking equipment). Furthermore, the company has started an informative campaign to notify skiers, through mountain maps and signs, of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions. The latter, combined with an extensive training of the resort\u2019s staff in the subject, aims to not only generate awareness of the issue but also to encourage the people to speak up to their communities and the government4<\/sup>. Finally, the company has joined efforts with other entities in signing the Climate Declaration<\/em>; a movement to urge the government and its people to take measures towards this phenomenon5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Other possible solutions?<\/u><\/p>\n

As you can probably infer, Aspen Skiing Company is not by itself in this issue and hence will not probably solve it unless it can draw partnering companies to work towards a common objective. The company has taken the first step by generating awareness among its customers and looking for ways to relieve the problem from its own operation. However, in order to attack the root cause of the problem, a more profound approach needs to be adopted.<\/p>\n

We have all experienced the pleasant feeling of arriving to our warm room after a full day of skiing. Big part of this is because resorts are running heaters around the clock to keep places at an enjoyable temperature. However, buildings worldwide (and especially in the U.S) account for 33% of all greenhouse emissions (GHE). By investing in new infrastructure, resorts can help alleviate the amount of GHE through better temperature insulation in its rooms6<\/sup>. In addition to new infrastructure, resorts can invest in energy efficient appliances and transportation.<\/p>\n

The rise in temperature is something we cannot change, however that does not mean that we cannot take advantage of the opportunities that it brings. Summer sports in locations know for snow-sports is also an opportunity to raise money. With longer summers, these resorts can find ways to attract people and make an even bigger business out of hiking, mountain biking, camping or any other activity that can be performed in the mountains. This business opportunity, if successful, can represent a source of income for the resorts in order to subsidize the future investments previously mentioned.<\/p>\n

What else is at risk?<\/u><\/p>\n

Maybe some of you can find this post too alarming, questioning yourself the real importance of snow-sports. Maybe you even feel that this can be sort of good news; a shorter winter means that spring arrives earlier and hence we will have warmer days throughout the year. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The effect a climate change can have on animals and plants that rely on seasonality can be severely strong; to the point of even jeopardizing our food security7<\/sup>. We still have time to make a difference. (Word count: 744)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bagley, By Katherine Bagley InsideClimate. “As Climate Change Imperils Winter, the Ski Industry Frets.”\u00a0InsideClimate News |. N.p., 24 Dec. 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  2. Nick Richardson. “We’re Melting! Climate Change and the Snow Sports Industry.”\u00a0Climate Solutions. N.p., 24 July 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  3. Mark Franklin. “Why Global Warming Can Mean Harsher Winter Weather.”Scientific American. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  4. Grace Hood. “Why Some Colorado Ski Resorts Want Your Attention On Climate Change.”\u00a0Colorado Public Radio. N.p., 15 Nov. 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  5. “About The Climate Declaration.”\u00a0\u2014 Ceres. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  6. Biello, David. “10 Solutions for Climate Change.”\u00a0Scientific American. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n
  7. Nandini, Maureen. “It\u2019s Far Worse than It Sounds: Climate Change Is Making Our Winters Shorter.”\u00a0Salon. N.p., 17 Oct. 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Or at least the one we are used to is not. Global warming has increase the average temperature in the US by 0.55 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1970 (1). 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