Media Tip Sheet: Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation

Climate change is a big part of our everyday conversation around the world. Robert Wilson, an associate professor in the geography and environment department at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, recently expressed concern about the impacts on outdoor recreation in our area. He writes:

“The Northeast is a fast-warming region, and our winters are warming faster than summers. In coming decades, winter—as most people understand it—will get shorter and warmer, with less snow and more rain. This poses a serious threat to winter recreation: snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing. Ski resorts have adapted to warming thus far by making more artificial snow. But resorts still need cold nighttime temperatures to make it, and as the region warms, the window for snowmaking will dwindle. The long-term survival of skiing and other winter recreation will depend on nations lowering their carbon emissions to avoid the more dire consequences and severe warming in the future.”

Wilson can also speak to other disasters that cause an issue with climate, such as wildfires. If you’d like to schedule an interview with him, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.