The Affect of Climate Change on Winter Recreation. Presentation by Sydnie LeMieux

Transcription

1 The Affect of Climate Change on Winter Recreation Presentation by Sydnie LeMieux

2 1. What is Global Warming and what drives it? 2.What sorts of winter recreation activities are threatened by these changes? 3. How do we manage these changes? What s ahead

3 Climate Change: The Planet IS Warming!

4 HOW IS THE PLANET WARMING?

5 Natural: Photosynthesis and Respiration

6 Carbon Dioxide Emissions Anthropogenic (humaninduced)

7 Carbon Dioxide Emissions

8 Affects from Global Warming

9 Rise in Ocean Acidity Acid levels = dissolution of CaCO3 USGCRP (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States

10 Sea Ice is Melting Rapidly March (Current Conditions ) September (Current Conditions) March (End of 21 st Century) September (End of 21 st Century) NRC (2011). Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia.

11 Rise in Sea Level!!!!!!! NRC (2010). Advancing the Science of Climate Change.

12 Precipitation Changes Globally End of 21 st Century Precipitation Projections Blue and green areas are projected to experience increases in precipitation by the end of the century, while yellow and pink areas are projected to experience decreases.

13 Drought Conditions on a Global Scale Regions that are blue or green will likely be at lower risk of drought, while those in the red and purple spectrum could face more unusually extreme drought conditions.

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15 Less albedo = accelerates warming Snowpack Decline

16 What does this mean? - Shorter duration of winter season - Expulsion of winter season sports in some areas - Fewer variety of winter activities - Less run off to replenish fresh lakes/rivers that provide drinking water, and other summer recreational activities

17 Winter Season Recreation Affects Downhill skiing Snowmobile industry Cross country skiing Ice skating Snow-shoeing Ice fishing Ice hockey etc.

18 U.S. Ski Industry The ski industry, today is valued at around $66 billion. About 15.5 million Americans hit the slopes or trails each year, supporting close to 600,000 jobs. In New Hampshire, an estimated 12 percent of jobs are related to skiing. The industry accounts for seven percent of the state s economy. In Vermont, skiing generates $750 million in tax revenue annually. Many mountain areas rely on winter sports as the largest source of income for their economies.

19 Northeast Region of U.S. Snow and ice activities contribute $7.6 billion annually to the North-eastern economy. Ski season may decline to <100 days. Snowmaking to supplement natural snow??? Snowmaking requires additional energy and water, bumping up the costs to the resorts.

20 Northeast Region

21 New Hampshire Ski Industry: Decline in tourists Resorts at lower elevations and in the southern parts of the state have gone out of business leaving the available resorts at more northern locations that more difficult to travel to. Today, almost all of these operations use chair lifts and manufacture snow. The additional capital required for chair lifts and snow manufacturing, coupled with the longer distances these resorts are from the regional population centers, have likely contributed to ski trips being relatively more expensive today than they were in the 1950s and 1960s. Hamilton, et al. Warming Winters and New Hampshire s Lost Ski Areas: An Integrated Case Study. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. 23 (2003):

22 rapidly declined. Non-climatic factors including an interstate highway that improved access New to four large Hampshire northern resorts, the 1973 energy

23 International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy 66 New Hampshire

24 Avalanche Risks Between 1926 and 2004, average snowpack in northern New Hampshire/southern Maine decreased by 16 percent. Over this same period, snow density increased by 11 percent due to warmer temperatures and more rain falling on snow. When this occurs, layers of ice can form between layers of snow, or a heavier layer of high water content snow can overlay a less dense layer, increasing the likelihood of avalanches and risk to skiers. Earth Gauge: A National Environmental Education Foundation Program

25 How do we manage this? Track changes in snowpack and continue to conduct studies Create management plans that are local-specific Assess the energy / water costs Supply easily-accessible transportation to these areas Focus on advancing technology and machinery to become more efficient Create and implement new/more summer activities

26 Some Examples of Groups and Organizations Getting Involved

27 Anyone who spends time on a ski slope or in the back country can see how this crisis is changing weather patterns and ecology, with major impacts on the outdoor activities we enjoy with our friends and families. Climate change is a reality that is here, today. Al Gore, Chair of the Climate Reality Project

28 I AM FOR SNOW Warren Miller Entertainment has announced a partnership with The Climate Reality Project, that seeks to uncover the complete truth about the climate crisis. Flow State, the latest instalment from Warren Miller Entertainment, chronicles the travels of the world s premiere adventure skiers to areas impacted by climate change.

29 We all can drive less, have more fun, and help save the planet. - Ricardo Balazs, sports marketing experience manager for Clif Bar & Company

30 Aspen Ski Resort

31 Conclusion Global Warming is REAL and INTENSE A warming planet decreases snowpack immensely Many winter recreational activities are negatively impacted by decrease in snow Studies from New Hampshire have shown an already huge decrease in ski resort operations It is time for us to take action, join a group, contribute to working towards finding a solution, become informed so that we can inform others! Good news: People ARE doing something about climate change!

32 Questions?