Eco-Tips For Skiers (and Snowboarders)
By Adam Soldinger • Feb 23rd, 2009 • Category: The Wire, Tips
Here’s a nice article from Tahoe Arts and Mountain Culture discussing some of the small, everyday changes we can make that will go a long way toward protecting our environment, not only in Tahoe…but around the world. In addition to providing some great tips, the article profiles our good friend Duane Kubischta of Adventure Film Works whose 2007 film “AK The Hard Way” was an exploration of the environmental changes facing skiers and snowboarders, and what we can do about it. Even the film’s carbon footprint (driving, travel, production) was offset through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s GreenTags program.
Eco-Tips by Tahoe Skiers
As skiers living in Tahoe, we understand the importance of doing our part to help reduce global warming to protect our environment, recreation and livelihoods.
Following are some useful tips by local skiers featured in Adventure Film Works’ ski films who practice what they preach.
Filmmaker Duane Kubischta has combined his passion for skiing and the environment into his ski films to make environmental adventure documentaries. His 2007 film, Weather We Change, is an environmental ski movie that explores the changes we can make as skiers.
Duane and the athletes believe that by starting small and then building our awareness and activism every year, each one us us can make a difference. Weather We Change was made without the use of helicopters or snowmobiles. In addition, the carbon footprint (driving, travel, production) of the film was offset through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s GreenTags program. Skiers starring in the 2008 film, AK the Hard Way, also chose to hike their lines to earn those precious backcountry turns.
Skier Eco-Tips we all can follow:
1. Don’t use any bags at the grocery store. Get some permanent bags and leave them in your car. If your forget them, go back and get them – It will make you mad and you’ll remember them next time. 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year.
2. Drive less, carpool and coordinate your trips. Each time you have to drive, ask yourself if you really need to go. The U.S. contributes 45% of the world’s automotive carbon dioxide emissions.
3. Don’t use napkins or paper towels. That’s what your pants are for! If you do get one of those really messy burritos, use a fork. Americans use an average of 2200 paper napkins per year and it’s cheaper to wash cloth ones than to buy paper napkins.
4. Figure out where your energy comes from. Call your energy provider and ask, then ask if they have a renewable energy program you can sign up for. This is how we start to demand energy that’s cleaner than filthy coal.
5. Work Less. Practice ski bum minimalism by working less, being thrifty, and enjoying your life more. The very best way to help the environment is to reduce your overall impact. If you have a little less money, your going to buy fewer things.
Click here for the full article: Eco-Tips By Tahoe Skiers
Adam Soldinger is a fan of winter.
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