Local environmental groups are pointing to another study which looks at rising temperature trends.
Not surprisingly, three “industries” are being identified as under threat:
- Downhill Skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Paper and Timber
“There was an analysis of the length of the downhill ski season,” explained Leslie Karasin, program manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society‘s Adirondack Program. “What was modeled was skiable days.”
The “green” skiing movement has not proven to be that great of a model and has done little to alter the image of ski resorts as “land-gobbling, energy-sucking enemies” and water-hogging enemies. Let’s face it, downhill skiing is an inherently elitist activity. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Incrementally, I wonder what the cost is to try and squeeze a few more days of skiing in? Don’t forget that most people burn gasoline or jet fuel to get to the skiing area.
I won’t even bother to detail the carbon benefits of snowmobiling and logging.
Prediction: More hand-wringing, more ‘greenwashing’, and soon a request for monetary “relief” and/or funding for more studies.
