Science
Climate Change: the Basics
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are now recognized as a significant contributing factor to current warming trends in global surface temperatures. The presence of these gases in the atmosphere increases the heat retained in the lower atmosphere through the greenhouse effect.
Radiation from the sun is either absorbed or reflected from the Earth. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation that would otherwise be lost to space. When greenhouse gas levels increase, more radiation (or heat) is absorbed. This radiation is then emitted in all directions, some back towards the Earth’s surface. The natural greenhouse effect is what makes the Earth a warm, liveable planet. However, with the dawn of the industrial revolution, human activities began to increase atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases mostly through the combustion of fossil fuels. The greenhouse effect is amplified as a result.
There are many parameters that affect climate, from the Earth’s orbit to aerosol emissions. On top of this, there is much uncertainty in climate science and even more in predicting impacts of climate change. As a result, there has been considerable scientific debate over the causes of climate change. However, it is now known that anthropogenic emissions do contribute to the greenhouse effect. As stated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s scientific authority on climate change, “concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases and their radiative forcing have continued to increase as a result of human activities”
We must recognize that there are substantial risks that may substantially impact the way we live and the activities we enjoy, especially in the mountains of North America. In turn, we may very well limit the potential for our children to pursue the same activities we have taken for granted, like snowboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Impacts to the Winter Sports Community
The most substantial risk to the winter sports community is created by warmer temperatures. The IPCC has projected that warming will cause decreased snowpack in the western mountains of North America. Trends have shown that there has already been a significant decrease in the Northern Hemisphere’s snowpack (see IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report, Summary for Policymakers, p. 2).
So what could this mean for us? Shorter winter seasons and less snow. It is true that climate change is projected to increase precipitation in some regions, which may result in more powder. Unfortunately, there can only be snow as long as the temperatures are cool enough. Warmer mountains are currently the most at risk.
Are we too late? No. There is still much that can be done. In 2005, the science academies of 11 nations signed the ‘Joint science academies’ statement: Global Response to Climate Change,” where they stated:
“Action taken now to reduce significantly the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will lessen the magnitude and rate of climate change”.
We can make a difference. The winter sports community can contribute as a collective through our actions to reduce climate change.
Contributing Writer: Sarah Jordaan, PhD student, University of Calgary
Things You can Do Now
Arthur Rosenfeld, a physicist and member of the California Energy Commission says that if Americans can reduce their energy use 2 percent each year for the next 30 to 40 years we would be halfway to stabilizing our greenhouse-gas emissions.
Below are some ways in which you can help protect our winters and reduce the amount of carbon emissions:
1.) Always remember the three essential R’s… Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
This could be as simple as: if you are a coffee drinker waking up for the early pow mornings, reuse your travel mug. Almost every coffee shop will fill your own mug instead of using their paper or styrofoam cups.
2.) Try not to buy bottled water. Carry a Nalgene instead which aids in reducing use of plastic production. Plastic production creates emissions and allows more opportunities for plastic littering the environment. If you plan to hit the mountain, carry a Camelbak and fill it with tap water; this will also keep you hydrated all day which is important!
3.) Insist on glasses while at bars and restaurants instead of plastic cups. The cleaning system for most high traffic bars and restaurants is water efficient and this also cuts back on plastic use as well as reducing waste for landfills.
4.) Vote! Vote for people who are going to help reduce emissions. Be sure to read and understand policies being proposed before you vote.
5) Use less paper! Bring your own bags to the grocery store. This will cut back on the use of paper and help save our trees. Also, many stores reward customers like you and give cash back! According to the National Resources Defense Council, the virgin pulp and paper industry is a top emitter of greenhouse gases. You will help save forests, water and help reduce carbon emissions.
6.) Use email whenever possible vs. stamped mail. By doing this, you are cutting back on paper use. Request your bills to be electronic via email instead. These are just a few ways in which you can help.
7.) Plant a tree. Trees act as a natural carbon sink and one single tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon over its lifetime. You can also add plants to your home indoors. Plants help clean the air and give off more oxygen along as aiding in the absorption of CO2.
8.) If possible, drive less! Use public transportation as often as possible, catch a ride to the mountain with your friends. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, go green and purchase a fuel efficient, less polluting hybrid. This will not only cut back on CO2 emissions but will also save a tremendous amount in fuel costs. Think about how long you warm your car up in the morning.
9.) After a long strenuous day on the mountain and you want to wash up, think shorter, warmer showers. Not only by making your showers warm and not hot help cut back on the energy used, but it is also better for your dry, winter skin. Conserving water is extremely important. Clean water is highly valued and is a diminishing natural resource so we should try and conserve it anyway possible.
10.) Purchase Carbon Offset Credits and help neutralize carbon emissions. These credits purchased replace customary polluting sources with sustainable renewable energy that are used on projects such as schools, communities, power grids, etc. You can calculate your emissions and purchase them right here through Protect Our Winters. Reduce your carbon footprint!
11.) During the off season, build a compost pile. It’s super easy. You can build your own or purchase an inexpensive compost bin. Yard waste and waste from your kitchen will add to the compost pile. Compost makes great mulches and is also great for an alternative fertilizer which is much cleaner for the environment than chemical fertilizers. By adding a compost to your household, will help eliminate the amount of waste that goes to the overused landfills.
12.) Speak Up! Talk to your local mountains about their plans to reduce emissions. Write suggestions in their suggestion box or via email. Participate in your local government and demand that they be smarter about local emissions policies.
13.) Conduct an energy audit for your household, or ask your folks. This will allow you to learn how you can cut back energy use in your home. Seal windows, doors, even flooring to help keep in the heat which will save on energy and keep green in your wallet. It is said by the Natural Resources Defense Council that having a leaky home is equivalent to a 3×3 foot hole in your wall!
14.) While resting up at home, protect your pipes and water tanks from heat lost. Make sure they are properly lagged. Use an insulation blanket if your water tank is a few years old. This is an energy-efficient way to save heat and it also saves on your bill.
15.) Workplace. Choose to work at places that reduce emissions. You are giving these companies competitive edge over the others. Ask your current employer what their plans are and if they don’t have any, speak up!
16.) Join Protect Our Winters! Help bring awareness to these important issues that are damaging our earth and creating shorter winters.
Contributing Writer: Sarah Pierro
Additional information:
- The scientific authority on climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases reports on the leading science of climate change. Their new report has a very readable summary for policy-makers: click
- Many national science academies have signed the following statement, which also gives a great overview of climate change science and policy: click
- For an overview of climate change and risk, watch this very accessible video: click
- An interesting article on Northern hemisphere glaciers: click