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Shelly Osterloh Reporting If global warming proves to be true, Utah's snow sports industry could eventually disappear right along with the snow. That's the bleak forecast from the first ever scientific study of global warming's effect on Northern Utah.
The problems and solutions were outlined at a town meeting in Park City.
Park City is ski and snowboard town. But in 60 or 70 years the season may last only two or three months, and the snow will only be at higher elevations. That's one scenario outlined by scientists who say greenhouse gas concentrations are expected to continue to rise causing the climate to change and temperatures to warm the Park City region.
Brian Lazar, Stratus Consulting: "So snow lines are moving up and the seasons are shrinking and so subsequently snow depth and snow coverage are reduced as we go farther and farther into the century."
Scientists used several scenarios of high, low and mid level emissions to formulate a model of snowpack. They say by 2100, temperatures in the Park City area will increase between six and 15 degrees.
Brent Giles, Dir. of Operations, Park City Mountain Resort: "By 2100 we may not have any snow. Think of Park City as having the same climate as Salt Lake City does today maybe even a little warmer, that's where we are headed today, that's what the possibilities are, but we can do something about it."
The effects of global warming are seen first on glaciers and snowy mountains.
Kathy Mattea, Activist and Singer songwriter: "They are the canaries in the coal mine, they are the areas that are telling us something is very wrong."
Singer Songwriter Kathy Mattea is one of 50 entertainers coached by former Vice President Al Gore to speak about Global Warming. She and others say while the outlook is bleak, there is hope, if people will begin to make simple changes to reduce emission. Things like using more fuel efficient cars and appliances.
Kathy Mattea, Activist and Singer songwriter: "Go buy a compact florescent light bulb and put it one light socket and if you can replace every light bulb in your house with them. Your energy bills will go down by two-thirds. You will burn much less fossil fuel in the form of coal fired electricity."
Brent Giles, Dir. of Operations, Park City Mountain Resort: "It's not doom and gloom the real picture, the real story here is we can do something about it."
These people are looking to change what they see as a global problem into a global solution.
The 60 thousand dollar study was commissioned by Park City Mountain Resort and the Powder Corp.
