Ski resorts are embracing a new role: climate activist
The Indian ExpressMar 18, 2023
India: Climate Change Blamed as Ski Resorts Run Dry
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The Facts
A lack of snowfall this winter has caused vacationers to abandon ski resorts in India’s Himalayan mountains. Scientists attribute the dry spell to climate change, exacerbated by El Niño.
Kashmir's Gulmarg Ski Resort is one of the world's highest, and is usually crowded with skiers and snowboarders in January, but has this year received little-to-no snow. This has dampened the region's tourist season, which has been plagued by booking cancellations since December.
The Spin
Narrative A
Global warming is a threat to ski resorts and winter sport lovers worldwide. While such resorts themselves are barely responsible for emissions, industry leaders have pledged to protect both their equities and the planet. Winter sports influence pop culture and the corporate landscape significantly. The industry, therefore, looks to shape not just public opinion but even government policy.
Narrative B
Governments across the world have been vocal about curbing emissions. While policy changes and ambitious goals are a first step, they can only hope to slow down global warming, not reverse it. The skiing industry is still bound to struggle, potentially even disappear in its current form entirely, despite efforts to cut emissions.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 10.2 gigatons of anthropogenic methane emissions in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.