Environmental Analysis of Skiing Industry - Term Paper Example

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SKIING INDUSTRY Introduction Environmental challenges and ski resort are critical concerns for every person in the country; essentially, these calls for concerted efforts in ensure that there is environmental protection. Arguably, the environmentalist take issue with the effect of ski resorts on quality of water, air, increased development sprawls, wildlife, and forest management. However, the concerns should be raised cautionary since the ski development and recreational activities enhance the regional economy. This is because the ski resort expansion has reduced mining and lumbering business, which destroy environment more. The cultural and economic activities are enhanced with the increase in number of tourist. Similarly, skiing is a healthy sport that enhances life-enriching behavior. Therefore, dialogue and discussions between the stakeholders is necessary to enhance peaceful and fruitful engagements. In essence, the involvement of stakeholders helps in developing new ideas on furtherance of the environmental friendly projects1. Skiing sport is essential in keeping the athletes mentally and physically fit while enjoying the Mother Nature. There is literally little preliminary arrangement for this sport: abridging streams and pruning of trees is the only investment2. It is worth noting that skiing has become popular due to the introduction of high-tech cable cars as well as the ski lifts. Apart from the above, new technologies have also geared up the growth of skiing as a game among the European countries. Furthermore, recent records illustrate that there has been an increase in the number of people going out to the mountains for vacation. According to research, it is noted that this is so because, people have embraced Carving skis. To them, this technique helps in getting into the game more quickly, even if they are doing it for the first time. Source: Us Bureau of Statistics For teenagers and young children, the records ascertain that the winter period is the most exciting season to them. Prior to health experts,’ recommendation on the snow activities, skiing has become the main game that keeps people active during the winter. Considering the above reasons, it can be noted that there is no reason that can influence a parent to deny a child a good experience at the skiing grounds; however, the big problem is its influence on both the environment and economy of the countries involved. Accordingly, it is noted that the families that face the most pain when considering the burden in economy that results from skiing games are those families with more than one child3. However, apart from economy, the following illustrates the danger of making skiing grounds on environment. Part 1 Impact of ski activities Air quality and increase in number of visitors. The increase in number of visitors in these resorts has environmental impacts; in essence, increase in number of visitors means increase in number of cars, grooming, and snow making equipments. Essentially, the amount of fuel burn contributed to environmental pollution, smog, and acid rain that affect the quality of air4. Although some resorts use a hybrid of electricity and diesel, the effects to the quality of air is substantial. Furthermore, the effect of ski sport on the public land is concentrated5. This means that skiing unlike other sport requires huge tracks of land, which increase competition for the scarce resource. Other form of sports such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, and horse riding does not require huge space. Moreover, the increase in number of visitors increase busing activities hence the shortage of transport systems. On the other hand, the increase in number of visitors improves the economy of the local region. Moreover, there are increased recreational activities to the public owing to the increase in number of visitors. This resort attracts huge number of visitors who increase economic activities. Wildlife and quality of water Withdrawals caused by the snowmaking results in poor quality of water, as well as, the health of the water stream. Moreover, the spillage and runoff from the estate developments increases the thermal pollution. In essence, the spillage causes increase n the chemical and microbial activities in the lakes, streams, and ground water thereby affecting the quality of water. Poor state of the streams and water affects the fish population and insects. On the other hand, the wildlife and habitats are affected by wastewaters. The expansion of the trail system, continuous use of the resorts, and real estate development leads to loss of the habitat. Conversely, a study asserts that there is a relationship and peaceful coexistence of species and ski activities. In essence, the ski activities cause the increase in number of these animals such as elk and deer. The open slopes on the nearby forest provide a diverse habitat for these animals. In essence human activities and ski resorts does not affect the lifestyle of these animals. Arguably, the environmental awareness by these resorts has contributed to the increase in wetland, fisheries, and protection of environment. Creation of access roads has enhanced movement of people to the mountains, which increases soil erosion. On the other hand, salt placed on the roads, hydrocarbons, and leads from vehicles flows into the water bodies causing pollution. On the other hand, the construction of roads should be made simple using woods instead of metals. This is because it is easier to maintain wood and it is less expensive. The panoramic rest spots should be developed and placed under better use to protect the environment and generate income for the ski resorts. Water plays a critical role in the expansion and development of the ski resorts hence the increased awareness on essence of sustainable development. Construction of reservoir and tapping of lakes is essential in collecting water for use in drier season by the resorts. Moreover, creation of artificial lakes will enhance manufacture of snow, which will also serve as reservoir for firefighting and drinking water. Sprawling development The sprawling development is worrying conservationist and environmentalist; arguably, this has increased housing inflation and increase in traffic6. There is increase in construction of houses, condominiums, and strip development. These developments have led to infrastructural, social, and economic problems in the regions the resorts are located. Additionally, the increased in number of tourist on the confines of the resorts, there is increase demand in water, roads, schools, housing, trash disposal, and sewage treatment. Moreover, development and expansion of ski activities is causing jitters to the local population since this will lead to displacements. The skiing activities have led to urban to rural migration7. This is because of the increase in cost of living in the urban areas, as well as, crime, failing public school system, overcrowding, and insecurity. Corporate debt Another concern raise by the environmentalist is the increase of money borrowed by the resort developers. Recession and bad snow weather can cause to collapse of the resort and ski activities hence increase in debt. Essentially, the concern of environmental conservationist is the ability of the ski resorts to pursue corporate responsibility amid slow down of their business. Ski activities are the main driving economic activity hence its collapse will affect the business activity and the ability of the region to attract tourist. However, the ski activities have a positive impact since it has helped in deviating activities such as mining and timber business. The development in the ski resorts plays a critical role in enhancing eco-friendly activities compared to mining and lumbering. The effects of ski pistes This involves the changes in indicator values of the soil moisture, nutrients, and reaction. To some degree, pistes are considered useful to the plant growth, in terms of fostering the growth. However, the pistes also have non-beneficial factors, which outweigh the beneficial factor. For example, disturbance is a prevalence factor here; the overall species that are rich on ski pistes usually face a dramatic decrease8. Therefore, the negative effect here is the direct disturbances of foliage by the compaction of the snow under mechanical abrasion via skiing. According to research, it can be noted that there are some disturbances, which increases the biodiversity through suppression of overriding species in the productive environments; however, a biotic stress will always reduce the dominance and productivity in alpine habitats. Artificial snow Artificial snow also has its own impact on the environment, as well. Experts explain that the application of artificial snow, which most European countries are doing, increases the moisture indicator values of piste plots on vegetation. The study explains that the artificial snow piste doubles the amount of snow found on them as compared to the normal piste. It follows that the increase in late flowering and snow bed and the early flowering and wind edge piste, which contains artificial snow; this further forms a clear indication of a shortened growth period that exists prior to the delays caused by snowmelt. Notably, the impacts of artificial snowing which most countries have anchored on are cumulative. Moreover, to make the matter worse, this situation is thought to grow to worse in the near future9. In summary, it is evident that the mountain areas, where there are high proportions of outdoor activities for instance the European continent, are exposed to unique vegetation and environment, which might not favor human and vegetation growth very well. Remedy for this should be that, the environmental goals pertaining ski should be considered. Environmental mitigation activities by the ski resorts Notably, the ski resorts are aware of the importance of the environment on their business and the livelihood of the population. Environment plays a critical role in the appeal of tourist and recreation activities. Human activities and incursion of nature is the basis of migration of people from urban centers to rural area. Environmental appeal plays a critical role in enhancing ski resort business and sightseeing expeditions. Ski activities are the driving force and an opportunity for people to encounter nature and wildlife. On the other hand, these activities play a role in appreciation of the wildlife values and nature. In essence, this has led to increased understanding and awareness of environment among the public and the ski resorts. Source: Department of Commerce Arguably, the imprint of the ski resorts on environment is huge, although they occupy small percentage of the forests. This has forced the ski resorts to employ measures in mitigating environmental effects of their activities. For instance, they move equipments using helicopter instead of creating new roads to reduce environmental degradation. Moreover, these resorts have computer modeled the trail design, tree planting, and slope reseeding10. Moreover, the walls of the indigenous rock play a role in combating runoff and erosion that polluted water bodies. Part 2 Pollution abatement and damage cost The capital expenditure on pollution abatement cost for the ski resort totaled to $ 5,907 million dollars, with 3 million reserved for treatment. The monies reserved for recycling amounted to $ 700 million and disposal had $200 million. On the other hand, the rest of money contributed by the amounting to $2,007 million was made available for pollution prevention11. Pollution abatement operational cost for was $20 million, where the held the money was attributable to discharge abatement, emission abatement, and the rest on solid waste management abatement. Notably, $ 2.5 million was attributable to salaries, benefits, and wages; moreover, employees and corporate contribution on environmental protection amounted to $ 4 million12. The cash was used in purchasing services, energy cost, supplies, and material, leasing, as well as, deprecation cost. The Arapahoe basin project, which is intended to improve energy conservation efforts on the lodges, is estimated to cost $20,000. This project is essential since it will reduce the heat loss and mitigate environmental degradation. The overall cost attributable to this project will be apportioned to planning, education materials, and constructions. The effect of this project is expected to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide reductions. Another project started by the Ashland association intends to initiate watershed restoration projects. The figure below shows that the marginal abatement cost is equally proportional to the marginal damage caused by the skiing and human activities. The figure shows some of the measure used by the resorts in the region in mitigating human activities in sustainable development Imperatively, the ski resorts initiative in environmental conservation measure to increase recreational activities, as well as, reduce the environmental degradation is welcomed. They have banned sale of swordfish in restaurants and encouraging consumption of local beef13. Moreover, they have constructed a power lift and set aside environmental fund. Moreover, the ski resorts have initiated measure to protect fisheries and fishing activities; they have a public supply of water through the established watershed management. Other resorts use an extensive wastewater treatment that helps in saving freshwater by recycling and reusing wastewater into the sanitary facilities. The resorts with a well-established snowmaking reservoir use them for irrigation during drier seasons14. This water is used in planting and sustaining trees, wildlife, and plants during summer. Maintenance of snow parks plays a critical role in replenishing the groundwater and reservoir supplies through gradual runoff. The employees of these institutions can donate money used in protecting the environment. Other resorts have constructed special bridges over drainages, and wetlands to prevent skiers from disturbing the flow of the stream. Other measure includes cutting few trees than its necessary, planting trees and leaving flora to enhance eco-diversity. Source: Travaux and Montagne Additionally, adding fence helps in preventing erosion and environmental degradation. On mountain sewer systems, treatment facilities, and wells have helped in preventing erosion. The area administration has urged the constructors to limit working hours into ten and discourage workers to walk with dogs on construction sites. This is critical in preventing wildlife disturbance and enhancing human animal relationship in the forest. Conclusion Consequently, regulatory flexibility is essential in providing the incentives to environmental performance. This is critical in monitoring requirements and saving on cost by the ski resort facilities. It has to be restated that skiing is an integral part of many communities social, as well as, economic activity15. There are real costs of the environment and government, recreational users, and ski resort must contribute in its substance. There is need for a good public policy to enhance environmental protection and survival of the ski sport. The policies should ensure that there is a balance between the competing interest of conservationist, ski resorts, and recreational users. This is essential in increasing the sustainable development and yields from skiing activities. Skiing is one of those valued games; however, this activities have long been faced with climatically and geographical conditions that do not support it fully. As the number of those skiing increases, the same also applies pressure to the environment16. This, forces the environmentalists to try to counter the looming threat to the environment. This essay demonstrates the causes of increased skiing and impacts of skiing on environment. Bibliography 2011. "An Analysis of Performance in Elite Young Cross-Country Skiing: Classical Style Vs Skate Skiing." Journal of Social Sciences 7, no. 4 565-568. Chivers, John. 1994. Effect of the Skiing industry on the environment. Bachelors Degree thesis, Conventry: Conventry University. Fevret, Ben. 2011. Water Skiing and Wakeboarding. New York: McGraw Hills. Ghaderi, Zahed, Mana Khoshkam, and Joan C. Henderson. 2013. "From snow skiing to grass skiing: implications of climate change for the ski industry in Dizin, Iran." Anatolia 2, no. 23 1-12. Hubisz, John L.. 2004. "The Physics of Skiing: Skiing at the Triple Point: David Lind and Scott P. Sanders." The Physics Teacher 42, no. 5 318. 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