My problem is that I got jaded and started despairing about our future on this planet and about our insatiable need for stuff. I forgot the joy of standing at the top of a run with 2ft fresh.
So, here’s the deal. I’m sorry. I stuffed up. I got way too negative. And now I said that, I’m going to fix it.
Skeptical Science has been a bit quiet lately, probably stalking their prey like a ninja, looking for their mark.
I’ve previously talked about the ridiculousness of ideological, or non-science based denialism (as opposed to scientifically rigorous debate)…
I really enjoyed being given the opportunity to open up to his questions and unload on the cartel and cabal-like behaviour in the snow industry.
I’ve been thinking about all the money that the US and Europe in particular are throwing at bailing out banks and carmakers. Why isn’t this money (trillions) being put toward sustainable future industries.
I’ve often thought that if these car companies constantly need subsidies to continue, how are they even profitable? To be viable only through subsidies does not sound like a successful business to me.
One of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard from a skier or boarder (or anyone in ski resort management) is: “I/we don’t care about global warming or less snow, we can use snow guns”.
Well, no, not really. Warmer temps, and/or less precipitation, equals either more rain, or less snow and rain, so either way, snow guns are pretty useless.
Warning: this post might piss off parts of the Australian snow industry (if so, too bad).
I recently was discussing climate change with an Australian ski industry executive, who was confident of the season ahead due to Lake Eyre filling up (let’s leave aside the fact that Eyre may fill more often due to increasing tropical/subtropical storm activity in QLD and NSW).
Inaction, and inertia, are terribly good at rendering us helpless. It’s easy to feel small, to feel indifferent, to feel like you can’t make a difference. Thing is though, you can (this is part of the reason I spend 2 hours a day reading constantly, and then blogging).
Yes. We believe that climate change (with resultant warming) is occuring.
Yes, the planet has warmed and cooled of it’s own accord.
But never this fast.
Why are we still debating this I wonder? Because the debate is getting in the way of action.
Anti global warming or climate change proponents (some call them crackpots…I suppose some like Andrew Bolt are) really make it easy these days. I totally concede that skepticism in science is needed, but:
1. We only have one Earth – the risks in listening to denialists are way, WAY too high
2. There is overwhelming evidence to refute denialist claims.
I like to think snowboarders are in general pretty soulful beings; after all, we enjoy the outdoors and most of us can appreciate the beauty in the outdoors; for instance as we stand at the top of a snowy peak.
I also like to think generally we care about animals. I know I do – to the point I don’t eat them (but that’s a different matter). All of which makes the following information really, really, well, just saddening.
