I chose this topic because I wanted to find out what the impacts of climate change can make on the ski industry. Snowboarding is a very big part of my life and it is important for all of us as it brings in all the tourists into our country.
The 3 questions I wanted to answer were: 1) What's causing climate change?
2) What are the impacts of climate change? 3) How can I reduce the amount of pollution being put out into the atmosphere?
What is causing climate change? On the website http://wwf.panda.org I found that even though it is a wild life website, it deals with alot of the concerns related to climate change. Climate change is caused by pollution. Pollution is mainly caused by human activity. Everyone that drives a car or a motorbike, or
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On the website http://www.mfe.govt.nz i found out that the impacts of climate change can be severe. One of the impacts is that wildfires are becoming more and more common because of the constant climb in temperature. In turn, wildfires create more pollution which intensifies the problem of global warming. Another problem that wildfires can cause is they drive the native animals out of the forests. Wildfires have caused several species of animals to become extinct. In the year 2050, scientists say that ¼ of our earth species are to become extinct because of climate change. In my research that i have done, i found that scientist have said that from 1880 to 2012 the temperature of the earth warmed by 0.85c*. Although this temperature change does not sound like much, these increases in temperatures are causing the snow to melt which are causing big concerns on the snow sports industry. If the temperatures continue to rise, there will be a bigger demand for ski resorts wanting snow machines. One snow machine costs around US $46000-55000 which is a great expence. Our new zealand economy relies on the ski industry as a major contributor towards tourism and therefor the new zealand
All in the climate is changing. Climate change has been ongoing throughout all of Earth's history, worryingly humans are now the main cause for it. Over the past decade, the average Global surface temperature rose by approximately 0.6° Celsius. (UCAR, 2015) Melting glaciers, polar ice sheets and ice caps have seen a decline, Artic sea ice extent has decreased by 2.7% per decade, snow cover and mountain glaciers have declined in both northern and southern hemispheres as shown in figure 1. (ICPP, 2007) Due to a rising increase in greenhouse gases, a hole in the ozone layer has developed, causing change in Antarctica. With a higher climate in Antarctica comes melting ice around certain regions. Due to harsh winds produced by climate change, an uproar in warmer weather has spread across the Western Coast of Antarctica, whereas other regions are facing cooling trends. We can only come to the conclusion that climate change is at its worst. So what's causing the change in climate? Fossil fuels. Fossil fuels have contributed to 75% of the climates uproar. (Max De Boo, 2002) Once they burn they release CO2 into the atmosphere. The Earth is getting warmer due to the greenhouse gas layer thickening. Nothing can resolve climate change but things can be done to reduce it from becoming lethal. Using an alternative to fossil fuels, using transport less - cycle, walk, use public transport, these are all small starting point that add up in everyone contributes. (WWF,
We might disagree on the causes of global warming; however, we cannot ignore that it is happening. Although we still experience cold winters, average global temperatures has risen drastically for the past three decades. Polar ice caps are melting; as a result, sea levels are rising. Scientist predict more extreme weather in the coming decades, in fact, droughts will probably be more common. Also, flooding and tropical temperatures might cause large amounts of methane gases to be released, which could be disastrous for our atmosphere. Climate change may have human causes and also it might be a natural occurrence. Nevertheless, we must find ways to save our planet.
If we talk about the biggest problem, we will see climate change in the world. There is certainly a great deal of evidence to support the view that global warming is a result of the build up of greenhouse gases caused by human activities. In this essay I will look briefly at the scientific debate surrounding its causes and perhaps more importantly, consider what action we can take to slow the process down.
Climate change is evident throughout the world and is a major issue. It is no secret that our planet is getting warmer. Global warming is now recognized in the scientific community as a real problem. There are multiple aspects that are causing this issue. Majority of the warming is caused by greenhouse gases. Volcanic eruptions and changes in the intensity of solar radiation have offset the warming partially. It is estimated that average annual temperatures will increase 3.5°F-9.5°F by the century’s end.
Climate change is caused mostly by humans. The use of electricity, transportation, and harvesting resources can emit thousands of tons of
Snowmaking is known as the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a snow machine, such as a snow gun or a snow cannon, on a mountain. However big and complex a ski resort every component depends upon one basic element for its overall function and livelihood of operation. Snowmaking, it is most generally used at ski resorts to supplement the natural snow that has fallen. Using the process of snowmaking allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover on the mountain and the ability to extend their ski seasons. Indoor ski slopes, which have just recently began to gain popularity, often use snowmaking all year round to suffice their snow needs. They can generally do so for a year round event because they
Snowpack’s are responsible for supplying water to the seventy-four million people in the western region of the United States. During the Winter, snowpack builds up as compressed snow on the ground by its own weight or through the process of melting, re-hardening and continuous layering (National Snow & Ice Data Center). In the Spring and Summer, snowpack like the ones in the Rocky Mountains melt and feed the Colorado River which provides 60-80% of the water supply (Radford, 2013). Other Western streams that rely on these Winter snowpack’s is the Rio Grande, Sacramento San Joaquin, and Basin, all of which affects the water income for Western states (Garfin, et al., 2014). Snowpack’s are an important component to the water cycle and without care, it can be manipulated by the rising temperature. This raises concern about the future in terms of weather patterns, economic stability and phenology cycles.
Climate change is a critical issue that affects the Earth in a large-scale way. Humankind is primarily responsible for the Earth’s warming. Understanding why climate change is happening is crucial to be able to decipher solutions.
The changing nature of snow cover as a result of alpine climate change is a modern phenomenon that climate scientists are beginning to understand. Declining snow depth and duration have serious implications for Australia’s ski industry, in particular the longevity of the industry. This essay discusses the impacts of alpine climate change on snow cover, adaption strategies to sustain the industry’s economy as well as the unsustainable nature of snowmaking as a long term solution. Limitations on water and energy resource make snowmaking problematic as a substitute for natural snow. The essay highlights the unsustainability of snowmaking as a short-term solution, and raises concerns of the longevity of the ski industry.
Throw a snowball, make another. Oh how fun it is to play in the snow.
Climate change is a very real and it affects the entire globe. At risk are the polar ice caps, which are melting at an alarming rate. Our oceans are rising and the mountain glaciers are receding in length every year. Humans are destroying the planet at an alarming rate. Ski resorts, areas and mountain towns depend on a stable snow pack every year. To loose
Since the Industrial Revolution began, human activities have significantly contributed to the changing climate by emitting high concentrations of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Over the past couple of decades, there has been climate change controversy concerning whether climate change is occurring, how much has occurred in modern times, what has caused it, and whether the effects are significant. Although some believe that it is due to natural causes and is not a significant topic, climate change is a phenomenon that has a dramatic impact on human health, disrupts natural ecosystems, and can increase the intensity and frequency of natural disasters.
Climate change has been progressing as the years pass and Earth is rising in temperatures. Various things can cause the weather to increase or decrease in temperatures and pollution is one of the top reasons to change climate. It has become time, where people have to come to a decision to stop climate change or let climate change continue while having an increase in natural disasters. Climate change has become a real issue and the government needs to take steps to help prevent or reduce the change.
What really causes climate change? Is it human cause or is a natural process that is happening? I think that us as humans contribute more to climate change then natural causes.
Barring only a handful of old people represented by a red elephant, climate change is recognized as the most pressing contemporary environmental issue. In fact, there is an endless stream of studies and research articles published daily about climate change and the eventual effects it will have on human civilization. For the purposes of simplicity, I’m going to take the most extreme stance and say unchecked pollution-induced climate change will result in a combination of polar icecap melting and ozone depletion which will cause a permanent winter. Obviously, there is debate amongst climatologists to the extent of the devastation that climate change will have on humanity, but I’ll ignore those for the sake of this topic. Let’s assume the