Appalachian Ski Mtn. is offering free skiing as an incentive for its guests to support efforts to fight global warming. According to a United Nations report released Tuesday, November 27, the world will face catastrophic floods, droughts, and other disasters if immediate measures are not taken to fight global warming.
Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the ski industry in the U.S. and throughout the world. Scientists warn that average temperatures could increase 3 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. 19 of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 1980, with the 10 hottest years since 1990. The National Academy of Sciences report to President Bush in 2001 declares that the unprecedented warming trends of the past half century cannot be attributed to nature.
After decades of study, most scientists agree that heat-trapping pollution from fossil fuels is a major factor in global warming. Carbon dioxide is the major heat-trapping emission. There is almost 30 percent more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than natural levels at the start of the industrial revolution. These levels could double by the end of the century, creating a much warmer planet. Non-polluting technologies such as solar and wind power are made affordable to the public consumer by offsetting carbon credits.
On three weekends, each guest at Appalachian Ski Mtn. who purchases a ski ticket and a $ 3 Green Ticket will receive a voucher for a free ski ticket redeemable any night in March. This offer will be available December 8 & 9, January 5 & 6, and March 1 & 2.
All season long, guests at Appalachian Ski Mtn. may purchase Green Tickets for $ 3 along with their ski ticket. These Green Tickets will fund the purchase of renewable energy offsets to replace the use of carbon emitting energies such as oil or gas. Each guest will receive a 2007-08 green ticket with the “Keep Winter Cool” logo to personally demonstrate their support of global warming efforts.
“Every skier and snowboarder can make a difference, since every Green Ticket will offset almost 1000 pounds of CO2 emissions.” said Appalachian Ski Mtn. General Manager Brad Moretz. “We feel it is important to raise awareness and provide our guests a way to show their support to fight global warming”
Green H.O.P.E. is the company providing the Green Tickets and funding the renewable energy projects. Green H.O.P.E.’s mission is to educate consumers to reduce energy use through conservation and then offset the emissions that remain from such activities as heating and cooling a home, or driving to work or school. Green H.O.P.E. achieves offsetting for their clients by purchasing renewable energy such as solar and wind power and also investing in projects such as carbon sequestration, CO2 capturing, methane gas recapturing.
For more information about global warming or offsetting your carbon footprint, visit www.keepwintercool.org or www.green-hope.com