Chris Steinkamp cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate report that describes how humans have altered the environment at an “unprecedented” pace and the catastrophic impacts that lie ahead unless the world rapidly cuts greenhouse gas emissions. 

He said: “What makes this report so devastating is that after 30 years of scientists ringing the alarm of a warming planet, we’re now truly on the precipice of a future with very extreme consequences. Our collective effort to date has been largely insufficient to meet the challenge, and after wasted decades of indecision, time is unfortunately now not on our side.”

Winter sports businesses depend on a stable ecosystem and a responsibility to protect the future of the industry should compel businesses to act, he said. “For both the strongest business and moral reasons, we cannot afford to sit idly by anymore and continue to let our rivers warm, our forests burn and our winters shorten. This is a moment in human history that demands decisive transformation, and as an industry, we must commit."

He said winter business needs to align on a set of solutions that will drive systemic change. CEOs should make climate change a top management priority and advocate for bold climate policy at the state and federal level that will drive emissions reductions in the US and globally.

He added: “Every single business, large and small, has a role. The systemic hurdles are enormous but the most powerful tool that we all have right now is our ability to work together, to collaborate on solutions that will help accelerate our collective progress. Many companies in our industry have already tackled some of the most complicated climate challenges, so the data and a blueprint exist. Now, we need to gather the will and work together – advocating, collaborating, lending insights and best practices, mentoring peers, and tackling this as an aligned industry on a single mission.”

SIA is the US-based winter industry's non-profit trade association, supporting its members through research, education, advocacy and events.