Protect Our Winters

Did you know that in 30 Days the US House of Representatives is going to make a decision that could affect everyone who loves winter sports? Last fall The House voted on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Now the bill is caught in the Senate and has the potential of losing the ground it has gained on controlling emission trading. Passing the bill places a cap on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted nationally. The emission of greenhouse gasses is one of the leading causes to increased atmospheric temperatures, global warming, and reduced snowpack in the mountains.

I had a chance to catch up with one of NEMO’s Jeremy Jones about this, a subject that is very near and dear to him. As a professional snowboarder, Jeremy has had the opportunity to travel all over the globe and ride mountains most of us can only dream of. Through his travels Jones has seen changes in the mountains that have disturbed him. Jeremy has taken this fight on as a personal mission. He formed a nonprofit organization called Protect Our Winters (POW for short) to raise awareness to not only the environmental impact, but the economic and social impact warming winters has on our mountain communities. Check it out.


Please help by contacting your state senator and let them know that you support the passing of the Energy Bill. 48 Senators are undecided on the Bill. We need 30 to vote yes to make a change. There are many states that are on the fence about this decision. Many of these swing states are in mountain regions like New Hampshire, Colorado, Idaho, and Montana to name a few. Contacting your senator takes only a minute and the difference it makes can last a lifetime. Every person who contacts their senator is showing our government that we care and a vote of NO will only perpetuate loose guidelines for polluters to abuse. It is simple and here is what you need to do.

Go to the Protect Our Winters website to learn more. You can submit a letter to your state senator voicing that you are for the new Climate Change bill. You can also become a fan on Facebook.

25 years ago our winters were snowy. This week I was looking out at my brown lawn wondering what had happened to winter. My yard should be covered in a foot of snow right now. It had warmed up so much I couldn’t take my son ice skating. Then we got torrential rain. Maine and New Hampshire rivers are reaching flood levels in March! What is wrong with this picture? We should be snowboarding, skiing, or being able to choose if we go ice skating or not. I want my winter back and I don’t think I’m alone.

-John