Dozens of skiing and skiing-affiliated businesses ask Donald Trump to acknowledge climate change

Following the recent election of Donald Trump—who has made it clear that he is, at the very least, skeptical of climate change—hundreds of businesses under the name “Business Backs Low-Carbon USA” are taking a stand for what they believe is right and asking Trump to uphold agreements made at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference. Dozens of these businesses are from the ski industry, or very closely connected with skiers—from resorts to clothing brands to breweries.

“Implementing the Paris Agreement will enable and encourage businesses and investors to turn the billions of dollars in existing low-carbon investments into the trillions of dollars the world needs to bring clean energy and prosperity to all,” states the Business Backs Low-Carbon USA website.

This alliance has three goals in mind, clearly stated on its site: “continuation of low-carbon policies to allow the US to meet or exceed our promised national commitment and to increase our nation’s future ambition;” “investment in the low carbon economy at home and abroad in order to give financial decision-makers clarity and boost the confidence of investors worldwide;” and “continued US participation in the Paris Agreement, in order to provide the long-term direction needed to keep global temperature rise below 2°C.”

Skiing and skiing-affiliated brands involved

Some of the aforementioned brands have offered statements about their involvement with Business Backs Low-Carbon USA. Colorado-based Aspen Skiing Company’s Sustainability Director, Mathew Hamilton, for example, explains that many jobs are at stake when considering the potential effects of climate change.

“Elections change our leadership but they don’t change reality,” he says. “Thirty more frost free days are thirty fewer days we can make snow increasing the pressure on our business. The Paris agreement is critical to our business and the 6.1 million employees of the outdoor recreation industry.”

Other resorts, like Sugarbush in Vermont, have pointed at past efforts, suggesting they could be endangered by decisions of the future.

“Sugarbush is fully committed to doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint and address climate change,” says Sugarbush’s president, Win Smith. “In recent years, we have converted our entire snowmaking system to using energy efficient guns, installed LED and fluorescent lighting on the majority of our resort, implemented composting in all of our kitchens and in some cafeterias, partnered in the development of six solar farms with a combined estimated annual generation rate of 5,340 megawatts of electricity, introduced reusable plates and cutlery in key dining facilities, and encouraged the use of reusable tumblers for our employees’ hydration. We have also made significant progress on a long-term plan to improve our local streams and brooks in partnership with local organizations. Climate change is real, and we are doing our part to combat it.”

While these businesses are free to make their own decisions and do their best to combat climate change, they have strung together to ensure the government will do its best, as well. Those who want to get involved with Business Backs Low-Carbon USA can email esteves@ceres.org.

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