Greed and Global Warming #2

In some cases, greed may lead to a revision of how people think about climate change. Eventually it must of course as more energy is put into the atmosphere and oceans causing more extreme weather conditions, more severe hurricanes, droughts and floods. At some point in the decades to come, there will be an exodus inland. Insurance companies will see to it.

But right now businesses that need cold temperatures are feeling the heat.

A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [December 14, 2006] heaped more bad news on [European] Alpine ski resorts, which are already struggling against the warmest weather in 1,300 years, according to Austrian climatologists, with flowers still blooming on some slopes and world ski tournaments being cancelled through lack of snow.

Banks in Switzerland are refusing to lend money to resorts below an altitude of 1,500 metres (nearly 5,000ft) and some small firms are closing, said Shardul Agrawala, who carried out the study.

Global warming could devastate European ski resorts within decades, forcing lower-altitude resorts to close and threatening winter sports which now attract up to 80 million tourists a year.

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Europeans generally seem more attuned to the threat posed by global warming (see Climate Change Action for excellent coverage).

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Europe is another region that is feeling the heat more than most. Europe seems to be skipping winter this year as flowers bloom on Alpine ski slopes and bears find their dens too warm and soggy to hibernate in. That is one reason why Britain and other EU countries display a growing sense of urgency as they lead global efforts to reduce carbon emission

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“According to the Met Office this Autumn has been the warmest ever in Scotland and the rest of the UK. This continues the trend for the first months of the year, making a record year very likely.”

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Ironically, the U.S. is experiencing cooler than normal temperatures.

According to environmental journalist, Kelpie Wilson, ”At this moment in time, the nation most responsible for climate change is the least affected by the consequences. Our cool weather is unfortunate, because it is prolonging the day of reckoning when Americans realize that we really do have to do something about climate change.”

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You can imagine that if this were happening in Vail or Aspen, we would be hearing a lot more about climate change. Enjoy the slopes while you can. Happy Holidays.

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