From The Denver Post (Bruce Finley):
Colorado recreation industry and mountain town leaders spoke at the world climate summit in Paris on Sunday, pressing for a strong deal to preserve winters long enough for snow sports.
Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron told of efforts to adapt to shorter, slushier winters, joined by others on a panel, including Olympic snowboarder Seth Wescott.
“I urge world leaders to finish strong in Paris to keep the world below the tipping point and save the winter lifestyle for the world,” Wescott said in an e-mail.
They’re part of the intensifying push around the United Nations-convened talks involving 195 nations. The negotiators’ goal is to make and agree to a plan that will limit global warning to no more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the future…
Over the past year, mountain town leaders in Colorado and neighboring states have been making the case that rising temperatures, inconsistent river flows, shrinking snowpack, drought and catastrophic wildfires are worsening problems they must deal with at increased expense…
In Paris, the panel of athletes, elected officials, industry leaders and activists — coordinated by Aspen-based Snowriders International — discussed impacts on communities that depend economically on winter recreation and snow. They presented a petition with more than 1,500 signatures to leaders.