With Tuesday’s announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that last month’s hottest March on record continued an 11 month hot streak, Mt. Hood Meadows retaliates Saturday with a Sustainability Shindig. Just the announcement of the event is already having a chilling effect, as the forecast for the weekend has switched from record highs to colder temps with a snowy forecast on the mountain.
This year’s globally warmer record is being blamed on a super El Nino - the same weather condition that has brought 476 inches of snow to Meadows this season. Forecasters are hopeful the hot streak will end with the colder wetter impact of La Nina forecast for the fall and winter of next season.
Regardless of what these weather systems may bring, Mt. Hood Meadows is committed to do its part to combat climate change by reducing its carbon footprint. Meadows has seen reductions in carbon emissions of 18% and 11%, after setting what appears now to be a meager goal of a 6% reduction by 2020.
Sustainability Manager Heidi Logosz says Meadows has implemented a number of initiatives focused on the responsible use of resources, from an advanced recycling program to water and energy conservation initiatives. “Saturday’s Sustainability Shindig will showcase these efforts, but we will also feature organizations that are committed to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment. This will help educate our guests and employees on ways they can reduce their household and business impacts as well. The cumulative effect of all of us working together to reduce consumption and energy use will have a positive impact in reducing our carbon footprint.”
Logosz will present “Signs of Change in Sustainability” at 1:30 Saturday, a presentation that addresses how Meadows is adapting its business model to prepare for climate change. There will also be a sustainability trivia challenge with prizes awarded.
Meadows is also partnering with Mt. Hood Express to offer FREE round trip transportation Saturday from Sandy. This is a test ride for a future partnership that potentially could provide free or subsidized transportation to Meadows. Pick-up locations at the Forestry Center in Sandy and the Sandy Transit Center and is available on a first come first in basis.
The organizations presenting at the Saturday’s Sustainability Shindig at Mt. Hood Meadows include:
Meadows is proud to stand alongside over 100 other companies in formally welcoming the
Paris Agreement, congratulating world leaders on reaching this ambitious climate change accord, and encouraging timely implementation of the climate commitments laid out in the Agreement.