Andrew Peters left the snow this year feeling a sense of loss. To him, the last couple seasons were a window into what the future of our mountains might look like.
“As someone who has spent their life studying the environment, the magnitude of change is really visible to me,” he said.
Andrew, an associate professor in wildlife health and pathology, has been exploring the Aussie backcountry for over 25 years, and is deeply concerned about the future of our snow-covered environment. But what he finds most uncomfortable is the silence amongst skiers.
It’s time for the Australian alpine-loving community to talk about climate.
Why? Because it might just save our snow.
Our Mountains, Your Voice
Protect Our Winters (POW) Australia is calling on the alpine-loving community to make its voices heard. The future of our mountains is in our hands, and we need to speak up to protect the industry, environment and lifestyle we love.
Fill out our short survey to help us shape policies and initiatives that combat climate change and safeguard our mountain environments and industry.
POW Australia is in talks with businesses, politicians and the wider community, and we want you to be part of the conversation.
Tell us what matters to you, and together, we can use our collective voice to drive meaningful change.
Having the hard conversations
The Aussie Alps, with their low altitude and already variable snow seasons, are one of the places in the world where climate impacts are most obvious.
“These are the sensitive margins that are going to feel it first,” said Andrew Peters. “If anyone’s in a position to speak to the broader community about what is happening, it’s the people who love the mountains.”
Even though these past couple seasons have left much to be desired, Andrew laments that in our lodges, our clubs and among skiers in general, nobody mentions the issue.
Despite its obvious effects, climate change is still a taboo topic for Aussie snow lovers. Being such a politically charged issue in our country, many don’t feel comfortable talking about it.
But if we want to save what we love, we need to change that. We can be united by standing up for the snow-covered landscapes we love.
We have seen significant changes to our snow season since we began recording in the 1950s. How much more we stand to lose depends on us. It’s time for the alpine-loving community to speak up on climate.
“It’s what’s going to help us mobilise and drive change within our own lives and communities,” Andrew said.
What the science says
The Our Changing Snowscapes report, commissioned by POW Australia and released this year, presents how the future of our mountains depends on the climate action we take today.
This report, a collaboration with the Australian National University, the Australian Mountain Research Facility, models what our future snow seasons would look like under different emissions scenarios.
According to the report, our ski seasons are projected to be 44 days shorter in a mid-emissions scenario and 55 days shorter in a high-emissions scenario by 2050 (on average across our resorts).
A low emissions scenario, however, whereby we dramatically reduce climate pollution now, will give our snow, our industry and our mountain environment a fighting chance.
Our Changing Snowscapes also explores the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change on our mountains and highlights the importance of groups coming together to adapt.
Now is your chance to have your say. Your input is crucial in shaping policies and initiatives that safeguard our beautiful snowy landscape and combat climate change.
This, alongside widespread debris of dead trees, makes a recovering forest a more flammable one.
In the business of change
If you’re a business in the alpine community, you also have a unique opportunity to make a difference. Get in touch to help us spread the word and make your voices heard. Become a business supporter
Bright Brewery is one business that has stepped up to the challenge. Its owner, Scott Brandon, recognises his corporate responsibility to lead the charge on climate issues within his town.
“We have a lot more capacity to make a difference as a business than I do as an individual,” he told POW Australia in Episode 2 of our podcast.
“I’m really passionate about making sure we make the most of that.”
Scott said he uses his platform to push for more renewables within the community and drive year-round tourism to adapt to uncertain winters. He has also gotten behind POW Australia to increase awareness of climate issues.
Get Involved:
- Make your voice heard and fill out our short survey about what concerns you as a snow-lover.
- Protect Our Winters Australia is a volunteer group of passionate snow-lovers advocating for policy solutions on climate change. If you want to help drive awareness and action within your community, volunteer with POW Australia and have a real impact on the places you love.