Action can protect outdoor legacy

“While action is not without cost, the costs of inaction are greater. What is the cost of a trout stream whose waters are too warm to fish?” – U.S. Sen. Max Baucus

Sen. Baucus framed the importance of climate change in a way that we in Montana can identify with; climate change threatens Montana’s outdoor legacy. Higher temperatures and prolonged droughts impact the forests, mountains and rivers where we hunt, fish, climb, paddle and ski.

Declining snowpack shortens ski and snowshoe seasons, makes mountain climbing more dangerous and can eliminate ice climbing. Less snowpack means less water in our creeks, rivers and lakes for paddling and fishing.

While living in one of Montana’s many green mountain valleys, one might not think that the climate is changing. This past spring was wet and chilly and snow graced the peaks well into the summer. For Montana this was the fourth coolest on record. Yet, data gathered from more than a thousand meteorological stations around the world and satellite observations of sea surface temperatures revealed May 2010, on a global scale, was the warmest on record.

Understanding the difference between weather and climate is central to understanding climate change. Weather describes current temperature and precipitation, while climate considers the averages of these elements over long periods of time.

While local weather will continue to fluctuate scientists have found conclusively that the earth’s climate as whole, over time, is warming. Furthermore, 97 percent of the atmospheric scientists studying the phenomenon of climate change attribute the increased temperatures to human activity.

The documented link between increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and the earth’s warming climate is persuasive. The result of our voracious appetite for energy is the unsustainable emission of greenhouse gasses and a rapid warming of the planet.

Climate change affects our Montana’s economy as well as the quality outdoor lifestyle we all value. According to a report by the Outdoor Industry Association active outdoor recreation contributes over $2.5 billion annually to Montana. This includes nearly $2 billion annually in retail sales and services, 34,000 jobs and $118 million in annual state tax revenue.

So, what can we do? To answer it is important to remember our education system leads the world in innovation. The same determination that landed man on the moon in 1969 needs to be applied to energy conservation, creating clean energy sources, and learning to adapt to changes that are inevitable. The clean energy economy has potential to employ millions of people and make our planet a better place for future generations.

We can also support the leadership of Sen. Baucus and Sen. Jon Tester in developing national energy policies that will protect Montana’s outdoor legacy as well as the economy that depends on it. Just go to www.outdooralliance.net and ask Sens. Baucus and Tester to support clean energy legislation.

Together we can develop a clean energy economy that will get us on track toward being better stewards of Montana and our planet.

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(Conrad Anker is a professional climber who has twice climbed to the summit of Mt Everest. Conrad lives with his family in Bozeman).