America is going mad—is this next?

According to a recent article in the New York Times, people are driving more recklessly than ever... and drinking more alcohol than ever, too. [LOGO OST]( At times, our affiliate partners reach out to the Editors at Open Source Trades with special opportunities for our readers. The message below is one we think you should take a close, serious look at. A study by the University of Basel in Switzerland warns that resorts situated below 1,800-2,000m (5,900-6,600ft), will increasingly have to rely on artificial snow to keep just their higher ski slopes open for up to 100 consecutive days, while their lower slopes may not be possible to save. This would raise their water consumption by 79% by 2100. During an average winter towards the end of the century, a resort would consume about 540 million litres (119 million gallons) of water, compared to today's 300 million litres (66 million gallons). In the French Alps, water consumption could increase ninefold by 2100, according to the study. This could lead to conflict between the skiing industry and local communities who may rely on the water for hydropower, the researchers warned. (Read about how small hydropower plants have long sustained remote communities in the Alps). The study also predicts a huge rise in operational costs for ski resorts if they are forced to use artificial snowmaking to maintain their slopes. This is because the cannons that distribute the snow and the ploughs that groom the pistes are incredibly energy-intensive and run on polluting fossil fuels. There are currently no snow-making machines that run on renewables and plans to reduce overall emissions are focused around improving efficiency. Solutions to adapt to the changing climate in the mountains therefore "ironically add more CO2 to the atmosphere and are making the climate problem worse", says Cavitte. Even today, snow ploughs on average account for roughly 60% of a resort's carbon emissions, while snow cannons contribute about 25%, says Cavitte. Ski lifts aren't as polluting, she says, since many resorts are trying to use renewable electricity. Besides the climate impact of snow machines, there is also an operational challenge as artificial snow can only be produced when temperatures stay below 1C (34F). The air has to be cold enough that the water droplets which the machines expel freeze and turn into snow particles. Over Christmas and New Year, many Alpine resorts were forced to close their slopes as the temperatures were too high to generate artificial snow. Ski resorts are investing in mountain bike trails, walking paths and climbing routes to encourage tourists to visit in the summer (Credit: Alamy) Ski resorts are investing in mountain bike trails, walking paths and climbing routes to encourage tourists to visit in the summer (Credit: Alamy) Meanwhile, some have resorted to covering glaciers in protective blankets to stop them from melting in the summer. Made out of white UV-resistant synthetic material, the blankets shield the thick winter snow from the Sun's rays during the warmer summer months. According to a 2021 study, the technique can reduce the melting of snow and ice by 50-70%, compared to unprotected surfaces. But it is a costly process, the study's authors warn. Covering all of Switzerland's 1,000 largest glaciers would cost about 1.4bn Swiss Francs ($1.5bn; £1.2bn) annually, they estimate. There are also negative environmental consequences associated with this adaptation measure, warns Cavitte. Polluting machines are used to put the blankets down and remove them. "And when they take them off, there's always pieces of plastic that are left behind which contaminate the glacier and surrounding land," she says. There are also concerns about how this measure will impact local biodiversity and wildlife, she adds. These short-term measures will not shield the industry from the looming climate threat. "The ski industry is not going to be able to save itself," acknowledges Schendler. Despite this bleak outlook, many resorts have adopted ambitious, long-term sustainability goals in a bid to reduce their emissions and protect their natural resources. Big Sky resort, which sits at an elevation of 2,200m (7,200ft) in the Rocky Mountains in southern Montana, is aiming for net zero emissions by 2030, under its Forever Project, which was launched in 2021. The resort has introduced a wide range of sustainability measures, including a newly installed 32 kilowatt (kW) solar array, improving the efficiency of buildings, reducing its water usage and protecting its forests, says Amy Fonte, sustainability specialist and head of the Forever Project. The resort also purchases renewable energy credits for the remaining electricity it uses, including for its 38 chairlifts and its housing, says Fonte. Aspen Skiing Company, meanwhile, is aiming to source 100% renewable electricity to power all its operations by 2030. "Ski resorts use fossil fuels and a lot of energy. It would be completely hypocritical if those resorts were not working to fix the system," says Schendler. Meanwhile, a wood pellet plant heats 600 apartments, two hotels and a public swimming pool in Anzère, saving the village 1.5 million litres (330,000 gallons) of oil a year. Most of the resort already runs on hydroelectricity, which is generated at the nearby Tseuzier dam. Anzère is also car-free and offers free public transport to all visitors, in a bid to encourage people to travel more sustainably. Tourists also have a role to play in helping reduce emissions and preserving the mountains, says Dijkman. "It's a mindset that needs to not only be present among local businesses but also among the people that come here on holiday." This starts with choosing how they travel to the ski resort. According to a recent survey by the Ski Club of Great Britain, just 2% of British travellers take the train to go skiing, compared to 72% who fly. (Read more about the climate impact of flying). For people in Europe looking to travel in a more sustainable way to the Alps, there are plenty of options ranging from the Alpen Express, an overnight train travelling from the Netherlands via Cologne to Austrian resorts, or the TravelSki Express which runs between London and the French Alps, via a Eurostar to Paris. Even if they are unable to change their own fate, resorts can still play an important role in the fight against climate change, says Schendler. "The role of the industry is to help the public understand what they stand to lose from climate change and to advocate for solutions." Ski resorts are the "perfect messenger" for highlighting the reality of the climate crisis, says Schendler. "People love what skiing offers them today. The threat of that disappearing is the kind of visceral hit that people need to catapult themselves into action." The ski industry is not going to be able to save itself – Auden Schendler Fonte agrees that the ski industry "can make significant behaviour changes…We can really help mitigate the impacts of climate change," she says. "I'd like to think that we're going to live in a world where skiing will still be around." But this looks like an unlikely reality for many resorts, especially lower-lying ones in Europe. Many are seeking to pivot their business model and ensure that they have a future if there is no more snow.   Dear Reader, America is definitely going a little mad... Some states are threatening to break away. The rich are fleeing. The wealth gap is soaring. According to a recent article in the New York Times, people are driving more recklessly than ever... and drinking more alcohol than ever, too. And that's just the beginning... Altercations on airplanes are now at all-time highs. So are murder rates. And violent crime is soaring across the board. Students are more disruptive than ever. Hate crimes have hit a 12-year high, according to the FBI. The question of course is: [Where is this all headed... and what's coming next?]( Well, one of the wealthiest and most successful entrepreneurs in America has a very clear answer you're unlikely to hear anywhere else... Bill Bonner is a 73-year-old son of a tobacco farmer, who now owns six large properties in South America, Central America, and the U.S... plus three in Europe. Bonner is also one of the most humble and thoughtful men in the world today. He's the author of three New York Times bestsellers... and has built several homes with his own hands, using ancient building techniques. I'm telling you about Bonner today because he has just come forward with an important message... What he calls: [His Fourth and Final Warning.]( It's worth paying attention to, because Bonner has made three other big macro-economic predictions in his career... and each one proved to be exactly right. Today, Bonner says we are headed towards a very difficult period in the U.S.... one of our most difficult times ever... which will result in something he calls: ["America's Nightmare Winter."]( What does that mean, exactly—and how could it affect you and your money? Bonner doesn't claim to have all the answers, but he recently went public with the fascinating analysis... recorded at his 60-acre property overlooking one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. He says: "I believe it falls on someone like me to warn people... clearly... and without distraction... I can do this now because I'm too rich to care about money... and too old to care about what anyone says about me." And in this analysis, Bonner explains exactly how he believes this difficult period will play out, and even more important: [The four steps every American should take right now to prepare.]( Get the facts... Learn how to protect yourself and get a peek inside Bonner's spectacular European property. We've posted Bonner's full analysis and his four recommended steps on our website. [You can view it free of charge here...]( Sincerely, Mike Palmer Founding Partner, Stansberry Research P.S. Is Bonner right? I can't say for sure... but Stephen Schwarzman, the CEO of Blackstone (America's biggest private equity firm), recently went public on CNN [with almost the exact same warning.]( Get the full story here before it appears anywhere else, and learn what you can do to protect and even grow your money during this difficult time. [Click here to view...]( [divider] From time to time, we send special emails or offers to readers who chose to opt in. We hope you find them useful. Email sent by Finance and Investing Traffic, LLC, owner, and operator of Open Source Trades To ensure you keep receiving our emails, be sure to [whitelist us.]( This ad is sent on behalf of Stansberry Research, 1125 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving offers from Stansberry Research please [click here](. View their [privacy policy here.]( This offer is brought to you by Open Source Trades. 221 W 9th St # Wilmington, DE 19801. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving offers brought to you by Open Source Trades [click here](. © 2023 Open Source Trades. All Rights Reserved[.]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms & Conditions]( | [Unsubscribe](