From Deseret News archives:
Will global warming doom ski resorts?
Study paints a bleak future for Utah industry
Various researchers, scientists, resort officials and city leaders spoke Tuesday night about global warming and the jarring results of the $60,000 study to a packed house at Park City's Eccles Center.
The study painted a bleak picture for Utah, where the tourism industry relies on the winter ski and snowboarding season. By 2100, the ski season could extend only from Christmas to Presidents Day, under the best-case scenario. Even a small 4- to 5-degree warming could be disastrous for the resorts and winter.
"We only maintain snow under the low-emission scenario through midwinter. Remember, that's a 10- to 15-degree increase," said Brian Lazar of Stratus Consulting, which conducted the study with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado in Boulder. "Under the high-emission scenario, we don't get snow."
The report used a snow-modeling computer program to estimate the climate changes and snow levels for 2030, 2075 and 2100 under three different emission scenarios.
Lazar said global warming will even affect the quality of the snow, turning the current Utah powder into skiers' cement.
There is still a "window of opportunity for all of us to help save our snow," said John Cumming, CEO of Powdr Corp., but action needs to be taken now in order to see change, he said.
Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs in homes, turning off lights and unplugging electronic devices when not in use, driving with cruise control, enrolling in paperless billing and using kitchen and bathroom vents sparingly were suggested as some of the things individuals can do to lower carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases that thicken the atmosphere and make the planet's surface hotter.
Mark Williams, a University of Colorado researcher, said those toxins act as a blanket and hold in the Earth's heat. A huge part of that climate change is because of humans' actions, he added.
"One thing to keep in mind is, when we emit CO2 (carbon dioxide), it stays in the atmosphere for 50 years. Regardless of what we do today, there's a 50-year lag time. If there's one message I want you guys to take home today, it's that 50-year lag time," Williams said. "That has a huge effect on the ski conditions."
Recent comments
Whatever!
anon | May 28, 2008 at 12:35 p.m.
mt hood is on its highest snow season record
jake reilyl | May 9, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
I am Very happy That people Are Concerened about thyis issue.
Anonymous | April 25, 2008 at 12:10 p.m.
- Tigers vs. Miners by the numbers 2:32 a.m.
- Springville vs. Dixie by the numbers 2:25 a.m.
- Wasatch vs. Juan Diego numbers 2:22 a.m.
- Mustangs vs. Tbirds by the numbers 2:02 a.m.
- Nuggets win after clock review 1:41 a.m.
- Robbery ends poorly for one suspect 1:20 a.m.
- Wednesday on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Integration is possible on TV 12:59 a.m.
- Herbert talks land issues in D.C. 12:59 a.m.
- Developer looking to buy RSL share 12:58 a.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Senators want food tax restored
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
265 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
152 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
105 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
104 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Glad that he's finally going to be scouting how to beat TCU. Seems to...
Too anyone who whines about people who EARN high salaries; when was the last...
Don't know bout all that "Texas" stuff, but I'm here to tell you people, that...
Gorbachev was a brilliant leader and single most important individual in...
It buys votes from every irresponsible, lazy American in order to keep the...
My fear is the damage to the economy adding trillions of dollars to the...
I don't know, Ak can be horrible too, there are those times when he only...
Utah 24, TCU 21
You are so right about the BS of these 3 radio clowns!
And some of you out there could care less if we give up our freedoms as long...



