Carbon Footprint

Roger Munns asked:


Ski resorts all over the world are taking an active interest in the affects of global warming.

This is because global warming will have a direct impact on their business for the worst. Temperatures around the globe are expected to rise an average of 6 degrees Celsius within the next century. It may sound like a small number, but the affects can be devastating to a ski resort business that depends on frigid temperatures to attract visitors.

A few major ski resort tycoons have already begun steps to “go green” by hiring environmental affairs specialists to come up with ways to keep them in business and have their operations run more efficiently. Much of these efforts involve implementing practices of conservation when it comes to water usage and reducing greenhouse emissions. One such resort taking these steps is Aspen in North America. They have also set up consultants who work with other ski resorts to ‘go green.’

Experts agree that by reducing greenhouse emissions, we could see an increase in snow production. To this end, ski resorts are beginning to install compact fluorescent lights in lieu of high wattage bulbs. They are also using more paperless forms of recordkeeping to reduce the amount of trees being cut down for paper sources. Ski resorts are also encouraging their guests to take part in energy conservation, because they realize that it takes much human power to reduce the affects of global warming.

The Alps in Europe are on-board with energy conservation, as the glaciers are melting too quickly for comfort. It is estimated that if steps to control global warming are not taken immediately, low-lying ski resorts in Europe may have winters where they receive no snow at all. This could be a reality within 15 years.

Some European ski resorts have already invested much money into snow-making machines, but have come to realize that even these machines only work if temperatures are below freezing. They will do no good in the scenario of global warming, if temperatures are consistently rising.

While the gradual lack of snowfalls weighs heavily on the minds of ski resort owners, so does the fact that global warming will eventually cause massive floods as glaciers continue to melt rapidly. If this is the case, lack of snowfall will not be the biggest issue ski resorts have to face.

In summary, ski resorts all over the world are working together to develop plans of energy conservation and reduction of greenhouse emissions to keep their industry alive in the coming years. If every resort takes steps to help the environment, then the whole world will benefit.

Mike Hirn asked:


The amount of land dedicated to forests, particularly old growth forests, could significantly reduce global warming. Forests are an important use of land in most countries, and in modern times they take on a new, environmental significance. Plant life scrubs carbon dioxide from the air. Carbon dioxide is a main cause of global warming and can be eliminated just by being in the vicinity of certain plants.

Trees are the best carbon dioxide scrubbers found in nature. Old growth trees are especially good at removing carbon dioxide from the air and storing it within their cells. For this reason, old growth trees need to be preserved. The lumber trade argues that the old growth trees can be easily replaced by new trees, but this is simply not the case. New trees do not possess the abilities that old trees have of preventing global warming by trapping carbon dioxide. Some proponents of cutting suggest that certain new trees are capable of trapping more greenhouse gases than the old trees. This is not true when you compare the new special trees to trees that have many decades of growth.

Several studies have been done to estimate the potential impact on global warming caused by deforestation of tropical rainforests. Loggers do not just take out mature trees for lumber. People who want to clear a place to live, work, or farm in the jungle do so by cutting and burning large portions of rainforest land.

Deforestation increases other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide. Global warming is a foreseeable reality when the rainforest and other forests are destroyed.

Preventing global warming should first focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels. However, deforestation comes in a close second as a cause and should also be part of conservation efforts.

When people learn that forests are important in stopping global warming, they can help preserve them by refusing to use lumber that comes from old growth forests and rainforests. Laws have been proposed to curtail logging as a way to prevent global warming. Bans on clear-cutting, a practice that destroys acres upon acres of old growth trees, have also been suggested.

It is easy and tempting to continue to blame the deforestation problem on “those people” clearing land in the rainforests. The truth is that a tree in your neighborhood is as valuable as one in the rainforest when it comes to removing carbon dioxide. It is important to think and strategize on a global scale but it is important to also act on a local scale. We may well have more impact on the actions of those in our sphere of influence than those half a globe away. Look in your backyard, is there room for a few more trees? If so go plant some.

Roger Munns asked:


Ski resorts world-wide have been actively participating in recycling and composting projects since as early as 2001.

Most resorts are now using 100 percent recyclable materials throughout day-to-day operations. Resort restaurants are using environment friendly utensils and carry-out containers and composting food scraps with wood shavings to use in landscaping throughout the resort.

Some resorts are passing their recycling and composting knowledge to their guests. Several also take a one dollar donation from guests to donate to organizations dedicated to helping the environment.

Bob Candler, snowboard rider and inventor, has gone further in his attempts to help the environment. Candler has spent the last 15 years designing the world’s first fully recyclable snowboard: the Makboard.

‘Taking care of our planet is something that should be important to all riders,’ Candler said. ‘I created a board that, instead of ending up in a landfill, could be melted down and reshaped into another snowboard when its life is over.’

‘Ultimately, what we’re trying to do is keep these things from ending up as pollution,’ Candler said. ‘As snowboarders, we’ve got to be on the front lines doing all we can to protect what we all love: the mountains, the environment and everything that makes snowboarding so much fun.’

With the combined efforts of ski resorts and skiers like Mr. Candler, our resorts and mountains will be much nicer places to spend free time.

Many ski shops also recycle ski and snowboard equipment by taking in trades and selling used equipment for a fraction of the cost of new equipment. Recycling older ski or snowboard equipment offers someone else the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard at discounted prices.

The number of snowboarders in North America is starting to catch the number of skiers. Many of the world’s leading ski resorts welcome higher numbers of snowboarders year after year. Resorts that offer ski lessons are starting to include snowboard lessons for beginners and intermediate snowboarders as well. Snowboard rentals are readily available in the ski rental area of most resorts.

Associations like the United States of America Snowboard Association and the United States Ski and Snowboard Association promote snowboarding competitions throughout the ski season.

Competitions include events like Rail Jam, Boardercross, Slalom and Giant Slalom. Competitors are divided into age categories and range in age from under 7 years to 22 years.

In the years to come, skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts will benefit from the recycling efforts put forth by resorts and fellow skiers alike.

Skiing families will learn more about recycling and protecting the environment. They will take that knowledge with them throughout other aspects of life.

Their children will teach other children how to recycle and reuse items they may normally throw away.

Small efforts by a lot of people can help make a difference in our national forests and mountains. Helping in the recycling efforts will ultimately lead to cleaner, safer environments for families to enjoy.

Roger Munns asked:


Tenerife is just one of the seven Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, yet it is making a huge impact on the environment. Tenerife has a commitment to the private and public sector to go green and do whatever they can to protect the environment of the island.

Tenerife and Tourism

The island of Tenerife is completely dependent on tourism. Tenerife has been a favorite destination for UK visitors for some time. Known as a Paradise Island, Tenerife is sunny year-round, which makes it the perfect destination for relaxing in the sun anytime of the year. Their goal is to keep it that way.

Going green and protecting the environment is one way that Tenerife can protect its status as a hot holiday spot. The island is vulnerable because it is so dependent on tourism. Changing climates could easily put them out of business and entirely change the nature of the island. Rising temperature alone could make relaxing on the beach an unbearable past-time.

Traveling to and around Tenerife

A ferry boat is available to take holidaymakers to the island of Tenerife from the mainland. The ferry goes to either Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Los Cristanos. Nearly half a million visitors come to the island of Tenerife via cruise ships. Of course, flights to Tenerife are also still available.

The main method of transportation on the island of Tenerife is buses. An elaborate fleet of newer buses provide transportation for one location to another on the island. There are some cars on the island that are available. There are also plans for a light rail network to connect the capital with the south side of the island. The idea is to reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the air caused by ground travel.

Tenerife Goes Green

Tenerife is doing a lot to protect its beautiful and natural environment. They’ve made a commitment to individuals and companies to go beyond the basics and protect the environment of the island with aggressive tactics.

Some of the things they are currently doing:

* The island uses water purification and its natural reserves from underground.

* They use recycling as a means to cut back on using natural resources.

* They use desalination.

* They are cutting back on carbon emissions.

* They use an elaborate bus network to minimize traffic on the island.

* It is home to tropical pilot whales, which is a huge attraction for holiday-makers. They protect their habitat.

* Half of the island is listed as either a national park or nature reserves.

* The island has been using renewable energy since the plan was devised back in 1990.

In addition to protecting the island’s natural surroundings, Tenerife is dedicated to preserving its heritage and culture.

Tenerife as a Role Model for Protecting the Environment

While we all have seen some of the effects of global warming, Tenerife has taken action to protect the environment and retain the beauty and reputation of the island. The steps they’ve taken to reduce emissions and balance carbon in the air is admirable. Their actions serve as a role model for how the world needs to react to her changing environment.