India: Climate Change Blamed as Ski Resorts Run Dry

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Facts

  • A lack of snowfall this winter has caused vacationers to abandon ski resorts in India’s Himalayan mountains. Scientists attribute the dry spell to climate change, exacerbated by El Niño.1
  • Kashmir's Gulmarg Ski Resort is one of the world's highest, and is usually crowded with skiers and snowboarders in January, but has this year received little-to-no snow. This has dampened the region's tourist season, which has been plagued by booking cancellations since December.2
  • Temperatures, which normally hover around 5°C (41°F) in this period, have averaged 6°C (10°F) higher than normal this year. Meanwhile, rain deficit has reached 80% and the dry spell is expected to continue through January.3
  • Scientists say the Himalayas haven't witnessed such conditions in 10 years. Vendors who earn a living through winter sports and activities are hoping for snowfall in the first week of February to revive their industries.1
  • Locals of Gulmarg, which hosted a record-high 1.65 million tourists in 2023, say the region has lost even existing snow due to unprecedentedly high temperatures. Some expressed optimism about a revival in coming days.4
  • The India Meteorological Department's Kashmir office said a certain shortening of winters has been noticed in recent years due to climate change. This is having detrimental effects on sectors such as hydro-power and agriculture, as well as tourism.3

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Independent, 3Associated Press and 4CNN.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Indian Express. Global warming is a threat to ski resorts and winter sport lovers worldwide. While such resorts themselves are barely responsible for emissions, industry leaders have pledged to protect both their equities and the planet. Winter sports influence pop culture and the corporate landscape significantly. The industry, therefore, looks to shape not just public opinion but even government policy.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Ski Mag. Governments across the world have been vocal about curbing emissions. While policy changes and ambitious goals are a first step, they can only hope to slow down global warming, not reverse it. The skiing industry is still bound to struggle, potentially even disappear in its current form entirely, despite efforts to cut emissions.

Predictions