We Must Act Now to Protect Our Winters
2014 was the hottest year on record, and each of the last three decades has been hotter than the last.
In mountain towns that depend on winter tourism, the realities of climate change really hit home. Shorter, warmer winters mean a shorter season to enjoy the winter sports we love—and a financial hit for local economies that depend on winter sports.
Even if you hate winter, climate change affects you – because climate risks are economic risks. Skiing, snowboarding and other types of winter recreation add $67 billion to the economy every year, and they support 900,000 jobs.
Last week I went to the X-Games in Colorado to meet with some of our country’s top pro snowboarders and the businesses that support them to hear how they are taking action on climate.
I spent the day with Olympic Silver Medalist and five-time X-Games Medalist pro-snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler. Our first stop was the local middle school in Aspen. These students grow up watching pro athletes like Gretchen, and many ski and snowboard themselves. We talked about changes the students can make in their everyday lives to help the environment and how they are the next generation of great minds that will develop solutions for addressing climate change.
Then we headed down to the X-Games venue to watch the halfpipe competitors practice. Without good, consistent winters, it’s tough for athletes to train and compete. Gretchen, who’s local to Aspen, told me they’re seeing more winter rain here in January, and athletes are increasingly wondering if there’s going to be enough snow for some of their biggest competitions.
The great thing about the athletes I met is that they know they’ve got a lot of stake, so they’re doing something about it. After halfpipe practice, Gretchen and I met with this year’s X-Game competitors. This bunch is committed to their sport, and they’re working with Protect Our Winters to ensure it’s around for generations to come. (That’s Maddy Schaffrick, Jake Black, me, Giom Morisset, Gretchen and Jordie Karlinski above.)
There are a lot of small businesses in Aspen that can’t survive without tourists coming into town, and I sat down for a chat with them in the afternoon. If we fail to act, Aspen’s climate could be a lot like that of Amarillo, TX, by 2100. Amarillo is a great town, but it’s a lousy place to ski.
Unfortunately, the past few warmer winters mean the snowpack in Aspen is getting smaller. I joined Auden Schendler of Aspen Snowmass, one of the local ski resorts, to see how this year’s snow compares to previous years.
Alex Deibold, 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist in snowboard cross, joined us to talk with local reporters about how climate change could impact mountain towns like Aspen if we don’t act now. He’s traveling farther to find snow where he can practice, and that’s why he’s speaking out.
These athletes and I have come to the same conclusion: We all have a responsibility to act on climate now. It’s critical to protect public health, the economy and the recreation and ways of life we love.
This week we’re focusing on how we can reduce the environmental impact of our favorite sports all year long. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our website to learn about the progress that major athletes, teams and venues are making, and what you can do as a fan to act on climate.
Jan 28, 2015 @ 17:35:51
Thank you Commissioner McCarthy for continuing your tireless efforts to focus attention on the myriad impacts of climate change!
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:13:55
Most of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change is water vapor. I can only figure that if we bury all open canals into pipelines to cut down on evaporation. We can do same for many different water surfaces that we create all along. Water vapor is not a powerful greenhouse gas but there is a lot of it enough to cause some effect , I guess. Look, we create a lot of water reservoirs with a lot of exposure to evaporation that was never present a century ago. So there will continue to be a ever present water evaporation made by man on a constant basis depending on the outdoor temperature. maybe we have to reinject drinking water back into the aquifiers and other means to minimize evaporation. We may have to forego some hydropower sources in order to help cut down on water evaporation which may be a big contributor. If you ask me about oceans against our man made water surfaces, I can only answer that it may only take a slight tilt to start a run away effect on climate change even if we add only 1% to water surface around Earth. This may be too much.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:17:00
“I do look forward to the day when all the States, and US Congress, and the NWO tax us and regulate us to the point where they can rid the world of ‘climate change’ and we can once again have a world with no droughts, no blizzards, no forest fires, no tide changes, no heavy rainful or flooding, where the temperature of large lakes no longer change, glaciers remain static, no withering crops, no hurricanes, typhoons, or tornadoes, no heat waves, no infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, or ecosystems will be compromised, no erosion, no insect outbreaks, no tree diseases, no biodiversity loss, no decline in polar bear population, no coral bleaching, no shifting habitats, global wheat and maize yields will stabilize, small island nations will be safe again,our wine regions will remain suitable for grape growing, all the reptile species will keep their sex ratio in balance, we will reduce depression and anxiety, and all will be fine again.”
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:18:32
” Gretchen, who’s local to Aspen, told me they’re seeing more winter rain here in January”
Wow, what an incredibly scientific study this was.
You are making the EPA into a joke. Stop. Stop the climate alarmism nonsense. You dont know what you are talking about lady.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:20:02
The climate changes and there’s nothing we can do about it. Accept that fact and learn to adapt.
I could respect you warmers if you could just admit the facts instead of scamming the population out of billions of dollars.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:21:15
Weather predictors just missed the massive snow storm of the century in Philly and NY City and you want us to believe that in 85 years we will see a rise in temps by 15 degrees. Why don’t you just say the sky is falling and we need to put our head in the sand. What is so wrong with Global Warming? Who at the White House knows what the perfect Temperature is for the World. Are we to believe that the current Administration has that perfect Temperature. I would highly doubt it so why are we trying to stop nature where it is? Please explain your theories.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:25:22
We are paying you for this nonsense?
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:27:13
There hasn’t been statistically significant warming in the lower troposphere in the entire satellite record (from 1978). What nonsense.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:28:19
Really? They are ruining our economy with their junk science of “global warming” or “climate change”. Al swore that we would be under water by 2015…..guess what? That didn’t come true. It’s all about control. They want to control the population and they use junk science to push their agendas all the while they live a life of luxury on our dime.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:29:27
I wonder when all the Koch climate deniers will post on this.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:30:58
I’m from Amarillo. Quite frankly, I like the weather.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:32:03
I just do not believe it.
Quit adjusting the surface temp data for starters (always cooling the past and warming current temps)
Then use satellite data (no warming for 18+ years)
Then, admit there is no correlation between CO2 and temperatures – except that CO2 trails temperature and not vice-versa.
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:33:11
Mz. McCarthy’s lack of understanding of how the seasons function is pathetic. Do you people think you can change the tilt of the planet to “save our Winters”? McCarthy certainly shouldn’t be talking to our nation’s youth about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgq0LThW7QA
Jan 29, 2015 @ 17:34:37
Climate Change.. Eco Cult catch all phrase. Its nice because there is never a wrong answer.. change is change.
Finally the perfect religion.
Jan 31, 2015 @ 17:13:22
“If we fail to act, Aspen’s climate could be a lot like that of Amarillo, TX, by 2100.”
This comment is irresponsible. It would require a +15 degree change over the next century, which is far beyond what even the most aggressive climate models predict. As a result, the climate change denier blogs and websites are lit up this morning using this comment as justification that climate change is made up, and that the EPA is out of touch with reality.
Ms. McCarthy, please recant this false comment and stick to the science. Thank you.
Feb 02, 2015 @ 17:12:13
The “actual” data shows increasing dec-feb snow cover for the northern hemisphere. So maybe someone should show the director the info.
Jan 04, 2016 @ 07:25:14
Yay!! Very exciting that you’ll be in such a visible space. You’re right. It’s important that the American people can see the CFPB at work, in terms of their finances and literally… Tangible. That’s one of the things that Washington tends to lack.