Amy Doughty, Journal op-ed conttributor

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

Let’s celebrate winter and the return of snow for skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking, snowmobiling, or running sled dogs! And yet, will this winter bring enough snow? Right now, given the lake effect storms, there is plenty of fresh powder! Yet last year’s strange winter remains a sobering reminder of the impact of climate change. The Yooper “snow thermometer” near Calumet put last winter’s

Keweenaw snow total barely above the all-time low snow record. In Marquette County, last winter’s seasonal snowfall was startling, “111.3” – the 3rd lowest on record – with the other low snowfalls in 1986-87, with 108.8 inches, and 1972-73 with 95.2 inches,” according to a local retired meteorologist, who noted that last winter’s warm, dry air pushed up into the Great Lakes region contributed to low levels of lake effect snow.

The crisis of climate change contributes to more extreme, erratic weather patterns and temperature swings, with the potential transition here from winter snow to rain. What will happen to the winters we love with consistent cold temperatures and lots of snow?

Snow — and winter — need our protection and advocacy. Change makers are everywhere and effective climate policies will make a difference. Climate activists in Protect Our Winters/POW (protectourwinters.org), Citizens Climate Lobby/CCL (citizensclimatelobby.org), and Outdoor Industry leaders (businessclimateleaders.org/outdoor-industry) are working together. The Mining Journal, along with other local businesses, have endorsed carbon pricing (energyinnovationact. org).

Learn more about why carbon pricing works (citizensclimatelobby.org/price-on-carbon) There is hope – and action!

January 2022 in the Senate is an important month. Senators are finishing work on the budget reconciliation bill, the “Build Back Better Act,” so it can be signed into law and policies can begin. Because 2022 is an election year, it’s even more important that they finish it early in the year.

And most crucial, robust climate change policies are long overdue. We need active citizens now: to insist climate is a centerpiece in these negotiations, to include carbon pricing in this legislation, and to remind President Biden of his commitment to reduce emissions 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. Carbon pricing is the key that makes this goal attainable. Contacting President Biden, and our Senators, Stabenow and Peters, is vital and timely; go to cclusa.org/call to contact them as well as Representative Bergman. Be part of CCL’s national 3-week challenge to get 15,000 emails to our President and Senators by January 22, 2022. Locally, encourage our local city governments to endorse carbon pricing to help U.P. communities become more climate resilient.

We need ongoing pro-climate efforts locally, inspired by innovation around the country.

Saving snow is vital to U.P. tourism and economic vitality. Climate change is the #1 threat to the snowsports industry nationally. With at least 15 ski resorts and nordic trail systems across the U.P., there are many practical reasons to support these local treasures, not just to ensure snow play but to protect the economic impact of employment and tourism.

Ski resorts regionally at Boyne and Crystal Mountain have implemented on-site sustainability practices and endorsed federal carbon pricing, as Jim MacInnes and Stephen Kircher outline in their impactful Op-Ed in the Traverse City Record Eagle: “Price on Carbon is key to protecting winters” (record-eagle.com/opinion/opinion-price-on-carbon-is-key-to-protecting-michigan-winters/article_cc424014-4bb3-11ec-9e79-870e78593925.html)

At Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Mike Nathan and Alan Henceroth articulate key points in a brilliant Op-Ed in The Colorado Sun: “For Colorado’s ski industry, reversing climate change is practical, not political. The federal Build Back Better Act will protect a $4.8 billion industry from ruin” (coloradosun.com/2021/12/10/colorado-climate-change-ski-industry-opinion)

The National Ski Areas Association (nsaa.og) has many climate change resources and advocacy efforts, as well as the “Climate Challenge” a voluntary, sustainability program designed to help participating ski areas inventory, target and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; minimize their impact on their natural environment; save money through energy-saving projects; help position the ski industry as a leader in immediate and effective action to combat the effects of climate change.

Snow is something we treasure and need to preserve; future Yoopers deserve our hard work now to ensure long snowy winters for generations to come. We need to innovate and communicate. How is climate change impacting winter sports you love? How are you impacted as a local winter sports business? Please submit concerns and ideas to marquette@citizensclimatelobby.org.

Let’s make 2022 all about meaningful conversations and bold climate action, federally and locally!

Editor’s note: Amy Doughty is a resident of Marquette County.