SAM Magazine—May 23, 2019, Washington D.C.—A coalition of outdoor businesses and associations converged on Washington D.C. this week to advocate for climate legislation that will help protect the outdoor recreation economy.

May 22 was the Lawmaker Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) on carbon pricing. And the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (NSAA, Outdoor Industry Association, and SnowSports Industries America) joined more than 75 other businesses and associations, including Colorado Ski Country USA, Ski Vermont, Ski New Hampshire, and the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA), to “LEAD on Carbon.”

While many ski resorts are taking individual action to reduce their carbon footprints, Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) president and CEO Melanie Mills noted, “We can’t tackle the threat alone. We need Congress to put forward a policy response that addresses the severity of the challenge.”

“A meaningful price on carbon is critical to tackling climate change and protecting a thriving snow sports industry here in the U.S.,” said Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president. “NSAA wholeheartedly supports bipartisan and market-based measures that will incentivize the changes needed to swiftly and significantly reduce carbon emissions.”

LEAD on Carbon was the largest business gathering to advocate for climate change on Capitol Hill in more than a decade. According to CSCUSA, the businesses that participated in the fly-in represent a combined $1.5 trillion in revenue, a combined market value of $2.5 trillion, and more than 750,000 employees.

“What I heard repeatedly during the fly-in is that Congress is not hearing enough from the business sector,” said Pawlak. “Everyone I met was appreciative to finally hear our voice, and I left Capitol Hill determined to continue sharing the voice of the outdoor business community on climate change.”

SAM covered the carbon tax issue in the November 2016 issue, in “The Case for a Carbon Tax,” by Allen Best. Read it HERE. [https://www.saminfo.com/archives/2010-2017/2016/november-2016/item/104-the-case-for-a-carbon-tax] hyperlink HERE.

Report by Katie Brinton

Photo courtesy of NSAA

Front row L to R: Melanie Mills, Colorado Ski Country USA, Brendan McGuire, Vail Resorts, Jessyca Keeler, Ski New Hampshire, Geraldine Link, NSAA

Back row L to R:Chris Steinkamp, SIA, Jason Badgely, Phunkshun, Andrew Pappas, OIA, Nick Sargent, SIA, Kelly Pawlak, NSAA, Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Judy Dorsey, Brendle Group, Jordan Elliott, Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, Molly Mahar, Ski Vermont