Earth Day Has Failed
Skiing is intrinsically linked to the climate, something that I don't need to explain to you, and yet, many of us are lost when it comes to the matter. It's not clear if social media algorithms are being manipulated, something I wouldn't put past a billionaire CEO of a social media company, but it seems as if climate change denial, and more noticeably, the shaming of climate change activists is growing in the comments section of ski resorts, weather forecasters, and athlete's posts.Instead of these internet trolls popping out every once in a while to spew misinformation, the comments are littered with vitriol, personal attacks, and name-calling. For whatever reason, these climate change deniers embolden each other to shame, make fun of, and even attack folks who believe that humans are responsible for the Earth's unprecedented increase in average temperature.10% of the country's population rallied together on the first Earth Day, a monumental feat, but today, we have never been more divided.
I apologize for the doom and gloom, but that's the reality of America on Earth Day 2025. It feels bleak, because it is bleak, but all hope isn't lost.On Sunday, April 20, 2025, I watched as thousands of skiers poured into Alta Ski Area's Wildcat lot before 7 a.m.. In a mere matter of minutes, dozens of tailgate parties, social gatherings, and live concerts began to spring up around the lot.Watching above the scene, I smiled as the greatest thing about humans was on full display around me— our desire to connect with others. Smiles, hugs, greetings, jokes, laughs, pats on the back, cheers, and chants of "CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" created a buzz around the parking lot. Folks from all walks of life were coming together, and enjoying a beautiful day of skiing, eating, drinking, and partying. It was divine.As I drove back home to Truckee from Salt Lake City the following day, a podcast playing through my car's sound system mentioned that Earth Day was upcoming. Still coming off the high of Alta's closing day, a thought came racing across my mind.I'll admit, the thought is quite idealistic, but it's giving me hope during this otherwise depressing Earth Day— Despite our intense social and political climate, over 10,000 skiers gathered at Alta without incident. Politics, religion, and other divisive matters went out the window. That's a good thing in a country that doesn't seem interested in protecting its home, the Earth.Let's be clear, skiing at one of the best ski areas in the world doesn't guarantee one's willingness to fight for climate change action, but it told me something about humans that I needed a reminder of— we want to feel connected, loved, and safe. On that day at Alta, over 10,000 of us experienced some semblance of these feelings, and it was a beautiful thing.I fear that climate change deniers have lost their sense of community. It's easier to be selfish, and to lambast others for believing in climate change, when one has lost or never found their own community. Other-izing becomes second nature. Anger is a default.Earth Day failed in the sense that our climate challenges have gotten worse, not better, since the first celebration in 1970. Where it succeeded, however, is in bringing people together for a common cause, a human tradition that is wavering as the digital age seizes control of our attention spans.My words nor my magical experience at Alta Ski Area will end climate change, but I hope it elicits one person, hopefully a climate change denier, to reengage with their community. Talk to people you care about. Learn about what they're going through. Find your Alta Ski Area on closing day.Fighting for Mother Earth becomes much easier when a person cares about other people. Happy Earth Day. Be well, and go spend time with the people you love.
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