Australia is set for more unseasonably warm weather this weekend, putting the snow season at risk of an early end for the second year in a row. August has already experienced its lowest snow depth for 18 years which is putting pressure on communities that rely on the season for their livelihoods. They are holding out hope that cold temperatures forecast for the end of next week might bring much needed snowfall.
Representatives from Protect Our Winters, which released Our Changing Snowscapes at the start of the season, are available for comment.
This year’s near record-breaking temperatures highlight the risk outlined in the modelling of ‘Our Changing Snowscapes,’ which shows that if the current level of climate pollution continues, all Australian ski resorts will face increasing challenges and some resorts are at risk of closing due to a continued reduction in snowfall.
The research shows how cutting climate pollution further and faster in the 2020s will mean the Australian snow industry would fare significantly better.
The following spokespeople are available for interview from 10am today:
Sam Beaver, Policy lead at Protect Our Winters, and Research Officer at ANU, can talk about how this snow season is an example of what we can expect to happen more frequently if we carry on polluting at high rates. He can speak to the solutions and policy asks Protect Our Winters is advocating for to help protect the future of the Australian snow season by reducing climate pollution, and importantly, helping communities adapt to changes that are already occurring. Location: Canberra.
Ryan Backhouse, Jindabyne resident, snowboarder and community leader of Jindabyne Local Alliance, has lived in the Alpine region on and off 10 years and can speak to community response of witnessing the erratic snow seasons become increasingly frequent. As a long-time local resident and a passionate snowboarder, Ryan can describe how snow seasons are changing and how his community is responding. Location: Jindabyne.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Jemimah Taylor on 0478 924 425
About Protect Our Winters Australia
Protect Our Winters Australia is a passionate community of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes and industry brands uniting the outdoor community to advocate for policy solutions to climate change. We believe our fragile alpine ecosystem and our love for adventure amongst it, demands our participation in the fight to save it and everything it represents. POW Australia is a non-for-profit organisation run fully by volunteers.
