#SNOWPROS
CLIMATE CHANGE IS INTRIGUING BECAUSE IT’S A PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE. SO IT CAN BE SOLVED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE TOO.
want. Here are key climate change concepts: There is overwhelming scientific consensus: humans are
causing climate change. Robust research points out that the vast majority of climate scientists, 97%, agree that humans are infl uencing climate. T at’s a truly impressive majority, and it’s also a useful communications tactic. T e power of the consensus helps bring others on board. If 97% of your clinicians and trainers told you that you drop your inside hand, do you still fi gure that your inside hand is just fi ne? Probably not. Burning fossil fuels creates an imbalance in the atmosphere. When oil, gas, and coal are burned, CO2 and stays there for several decades. T is CO2
goes into the atmosphere blocks heat from
leaving the Earth. T ink of it as an extra down sweater under your snowsports uniform. Every day. While some insulation is a good thing, added insulation makes everything warmer. It’s as simple as that. T e economic and human eff ects are profound. Maybe
Skiers in the Northwest, like Alyssa Davis, are having to make the best of scant-snow conditions.
This June 2014 image from NASA shows the retreat of the San Quintín Glacier in Chile. For comparative images from 1994 and 2002, go to
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ IOTD/
view.php?id=2319
not everyone is motivated to save polar bears, but
climate change is aff ecting the whole globe and all of its occupants. Floods, crop failures, water shortages, and spread of diseases are but a few examples. Of course, the diminishing snowpack is a huge concern to us snow pros. By now, just about everyone can recount some examples of a changing climate and how it aff ects them. T e worst eff ects can still be avoided. It’s not uncommon to feel helpless, but this is a solvable challenge. In some ways, it’s a very simple problem and just about everyone knows exactly what the solution is: burn less fossil fuels. Solutions are at hand. T ere are plenty of reasons for optimism. Renewable energy is scaling up quickly, particularly in developing nations. Governments are starting to coalesce around agreements to limit emissions of heat-trapping gases. T e economics of solving the problem are doable and would spur additional societal benefi ts. More public engagement is needed. Some people are more
comfortable making personal contributions, such as carpooling or eating less meat. Others prefer to leverage their skills as an organizer or communicator to encourage action on a community level. Along with that, civic engagement in public policy is essential. Given the global nature of the problem, progress requires large-scale policy eff orts. We can all take part in voicing support for solutions.
WAYS TO TAKE PART IN THE CONVERSATION Eff ective climate communication is nuanced, but here’s where you have a distinct advantage. As a snowsports instructor you are already an outgoing, articulate communicator. You know how to explain things. You have a sense for people. And you share values and a love of winter with your guests. You are already in a powerful position to have a meaningful conversation about climate change. Here are some specifi c suggestions, drawn from the lively fi eld of climate communication. Start with worldview. By now you are adept at sussing out
someone’s tastes and personality while on that fi rst lift ride. Use those same instincts to see if they may be interested in talking
52 | 32 DEGREES • FALL 2015
KARIN KIRK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124