Some of the biggest outdoor recreational groups have recently announced that they are forming a new coalition that will take action against climate change in order to save ski slopes from rising temperatures.
Climate change is a threat to the outdoor recreation industry and the $887 billion it contributes annually to the U.S. economy. The industry’s businesses, customers and the nearly 150 million Americans who participate in outdoor activities each year are dependent on a stable climate and have a vested interest in being part of climate solutions.
The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership is the first-ever broad collaboration among these trade groups. The coalition will join forces to support the passage of comprehensive, bipartisan climate legislation in Congress, the adoption of market-based policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decarbonization of the grid through state and utility level initiatives.
The alliance was formed by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Snowsports Industries America (SIA) and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) at the start of February as a means of providing leadership on advocacy and inspire meaningful action on climate change across the outdoor business sector.
“Over the last decade, we’ve led the way in developing tool sets to reduce the environmental impacts of the products we sell,” said Amy Roberts, OIA Executive Director. “These efforts have been adopted by major retailers and brands in the outdoor industry. In tandem, we use our industry’s unified voice to support impactful policies at the state and federal level.
“Our efforts can be magnified by coming together with these other associations to collaborate and bring a stronger voice to the table in hopes of amplifying our impact in addressing this global issue.”
Some of the group’s key goals include raising awareness among policy-makers on the potential impacts of climate change on the outdoor recreation industry and stress the urgency and need for passage of comprehensive and bipartisan climate legislation; providing their members with education, tools and programs to reduce carbon emissions in their operations and green their supply chains; and supporting research and funding for adaptation and restoration measures that will protect outdoor recreation.
SIA’s President, Nick Sargent said: “As three associations representing outdoor retailers, brands, suppliers, and resorts across the country, we share a common desire to see progress on climate and are joining hands to amplify our impact. This kind of bold collaboration and commitment is what’s needed now if we’re going to effectively tackle this urgent issue.”
Kelly Pawlak, NSAA President and CEO, added: “An ‘all hands on deck’ approach is essential in meeting a challenge as significant as climate change, and together we‘ll have a stronger voice to drive change inside and outside of the outdoor recreation industry.”
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