Over 140 skiers call on FIS to fight climate change

The non-profit organization Protect Our Winter (POW) has called on the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to do more in the fight against climate change. POW published its appeal, which was signed by more than 140 skiers, during the Alpine skiing World Cups in Meribel and Courchevel. Previously The Aspen Times reported that there had not been significant snowfall since mid-January.

The letter was signed by American Mikaela Shiffrin (two-time Olympic champion, six-time world champion) and Norwegian Alexander Omodt Kilde (two-time Olympic medalist in 2022), Italian Federica Brignone (three-time Olympic medalist), Marta Bassino (two-time world champion) and champions Freeride World Tour Arianne Tricomi (Italy) and Xavier de le Rue (France).

“The world of competitive winter sports is right now feeling the impact of climate change. Competitions are canceled due to extreme weather or lack of snow, slopes for pre-season training become less accessible, and injury rates increase due to poor quality or lack of natural snow at competition venues,” POW said in a statement. Snow Forecast).

POW cites a study that suggests the Winter Games will become unsafe by 2080.

FIS is to develop a sustainable development strategy to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, in line with commitments under the UN Climate Action Programme, and present it to the public before the start of the 2024 season. This is one of the requirements that the athletes have signed up to.

Maria Fedotova