Saving Snow

press release: Saving Snow, a new documentary about the local impacts of warming winters, premiered last month at the American Birkebeiner in Hayward.  The filming of Saving Snow began at the Birkebeiner last year and the proud Wisconsin tradition of hosting the Birke is featured in the film.  On March 8 see Saving Snow at the Fitchburg Public Library.  Meet and Greet - 7 pm  Film Viewing 7:15 - 8:15 pm, Discussion and Action Opportunity 8:15 - 8:45 pm.  This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Madison Area Citizens’ Climate Lobby Chapter.  For more info and to RSVP see madisonccl.info

“With all of my films, the goal is to make climate change concrete,” says filmmaker Diogo Freire of Adaptation Now.  “I try to find specific examples of communities that are being affected—and also show how they’re responding.” A disappearing snow season is more than just a frustration for winter sports enthusiasts. It means lost income for the many towns and small businesses that depend on winter tourism and recreation to stay afloat.

Saving Snow focuses on people coming to terms with these changes. But it also presents solutions. The film highlights individuals and organizations who are working to reduce their communities’ impacts on the environment and raise awareness of the need for action.

Birkie Executive Director Ben Popp, who features prominently in the film, says Saving Snow brings to life the realities we face if we don’t start to take climate change seriously at the policy level.  I love snow, I love what it enables, I hope it is here like it should be for my grandkids!”

In connection with the recent winter Olympics, athletes spoke up about what they see happening to their sport. Jessie Diggins, USA Olympic Ski Team said in an interview with the New York Times:

“You can look at different solutions for the economy, but you only get one earth to live on, and you have to breathe the air that is on this earth. We have to do it (address climate change) in a way that doesn’t hurt families economically, which is why I’m supporting the carbon fee and dividend solution, because it puts a fee on carbon and returns the revenue to households."