10 minute read
Protect Our Win ters Jeremy
POW employs carefully crafted messaging, data-driven research, basic economics and people’s own self-interest to bring about important policy changes. Almost a quarter of our nation’s carbon footprint comes from fossil fuel extraction on public lands. “That’s mostly exported, employs only a few people and benefits even fewer,” explains Jones. “Arby’s restaurant employs more people, but the fossil fuel industry receives about $700 billion in government subsidies every year. The renewable energy sector was employing more people than the fossil fuel industry eight years ago and those numbers have only gone up.”
“30,000 people are coming to Mammoth this weekend. All that money adds up.” says Jones. “The outdoor industry employs more people and creates more revenue than fossil fuel extraction. We wield very little power for how big of an industry and how big of a jobs creator we are. “
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“There are 36 million people who climb, mountain bike, ski, snowboard or trail run in the US,” explains Molina. “That’s one third of the total voting population of the 2016 election. Together, these people have the potential to pressure politicians to make significant policy change.”
“We don’t need every one of those 36 million people to show up, we just need thousands to show up at the right places at the right times,” explains Molina. “We need them to show up during local, state and federal elections and whenever there
— Jeremy Jones
are bills passing through Congress that need constituent support. We need people to engage elected officials at scale when we have votes like the one on ANWR.”
“Big pharma and extraction industry have so much power with our elected officials,” laments Jones. “We are letting the fossil fuel industry buy our elections and ignore science. I can’t deal with that. It’s time for us to come together and say ‘Hey, we demand action! And if we don’t get it, we are going to come together and replace you with a climate champion.’” Despite their hard work and carefully crafted advocacy, results have been thin. “In all honesty, there have not been a lot of victories fighting climate change,” bemoans Jones. “Largely, as a society, we have failed.”
Molina is not surprised by societal failures, like the results of the recent climate conference in Madrid. “Implementation of these commitments is really hard stuff,” he explains. “And when you have a major player like the US completely missing from a leadership position things get a lot more
OPPOSITE PAGE: JEREMY JONES, HIS FAMILY AND MANY OTHER TRUCKEE LOCALS GATHER TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND SHOW SUPPORT IN THE GREAT FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. THIS PAGE, TOP: JONES RIPPING SOME SUNRISE POWDER IN LAKE TAHOE, NV. THIS PAGE, RIGHT: JONES REFLECTING ON A TEN DAY SELF SUPPORTED BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARDING EXCURSION IN WYOMING. FOR MORE, CHECK OUT ROADLESS BY TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH.
“Arby’s restaurant
FIND YOUR FLOW
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
With a vast beginner zone for newbies, 80+ miles of singletrack to make progression easy, plus some of the most radical terrain in the country, Mammoth Bike Park offers a world-class mountain biking experience for everyone.
— Mario Molina
difficult.” But both Jones and Molina maintain their optimism and commitment to doing the hard work. “We already have the solutions,” says Jones. “And the solutions are huge job creators. Those are domestic jobs.”
Molina is heartened by an undeniable cultural shift. “What gives me hope is that there’s been an awakening within the community and mainstream society at large about the urgency of this issue. If we can catalyze that energy we can see the outdoor community have a huge impact on how this country addresses climate change in the next five years.”
And POW doesn’t need to tackle climate change alone. “I mean the fact that millions of kids are marching in the streets is both really sad and really inspiring,” says Jones. “I’m so grateful. I call it the X factor. This is what we need, we need a revolution and the kids are making it happen.”
To learn how you can get involved and support POW, go to protectourwinters.org.
ABOVE TOP TO BOTTOM: JONES AND NICK RUSSELL SKINNING UP FOR ANOTHER LAP DURING A SEVEN DAY, SELF SUPPORTED, BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARD EXCURSION IN THE SIERRA; JONES AND CONNERY LUNDIN TAKING IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR HOME, LAKE TAHOE, AND PLANNING THE NEXT SEQUENCE; MARIO MOLINA GETTING SOME POWDER TURNS ON HIS SNOWBOARD (PHOTO: WARREN MILLER ENTERTAINMENT); EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARIO MOLINA (PHOTO: MIKE THURK).
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COME SPEND YOUR WINTER VACATION ON THE PRISTINE SHORE OF TAHOE
There isn’t a more beautiful, peaceful place to come “home” to after an amazing day on the slopes or on the lake. Come Spend Your Winter 2017-2018 Vacation With us on The Pristine Shores of Lake Tahoe
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ACCOMMODATIONS FOR GROUPS, FAMILIES & INDIVIDUALS l TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE DROP-OFF LOCATION l MEAL OPTIONS l GROUP SPACE l ENJOY OUR PRIVATE BEACH l HIKING TRAILS, SKI RESORTS AND DOZENS OF WINTER ACTIVITIES WITHIN MINUTES Plan your 2017-2018 winter vacation with us today! ACCOMMODATIONS FOR GROUPS, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS | TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE DROP-OFF LOCATION | MEAL OPTIONS | GROUP SPACE | SKI RESORT AND DOZENS OF WINTER ACTIVITIES WITHIN MINUTES We look forward to having you here as our guest! We look forward to having you here as our guest!
zephyrpoint.org 775-588-6759 Zephyr Point is a PC(USA) Affiliate PLEASE VISIT ZEPHYRPOINT.ORG OR CALL 775-588-6759 FOR MORE INFORMATION. Extensive footage of our property is available online. Visit zephyrpoint.org and click “Watch Videos” (bottom right section of the home page). Shuttle is first come, and must be pre-scheduled.
BJORNLOPPET XC SKI RACES February 8-9, Bear Valley
The Bjornloppet is the longest-running cross country ski race on the west coast and is a special opportunity to visit Bear Valley and test your skills on some of the most scenic groomed trails in California. Saturday races are Open Division Freestyle which allows both skating and striding equipment and techniques. Sunday is all about classic striding and offers both a 5K and 10K course. There will be post-race food and awards each day. All ages and abilities welcome. The event is presented by the Bear Valley Adventure Company. Learn more at bvadventures.com.
ALPENGLOW MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL February 15-23, North Lake Tahoe
The seventh iteration of the Alpenglow Mountain Festival — presented by The North Face— takes place across North Lake Tahoe and showcases over 75 individual events, most of which are entirely free. The nine-day festival is a celebration of human-powered mountain sports with a heavy focus on backcountry and Nordic skiing. The event is geared specifically for the beginner to intermediate winter recreationalist. Space is limited and participants are encouraged to register online to secure spots. Learn more at alpenglowsports.com. Photo: Scott Rokis
BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR February 20-23, Santa Cruz
Ignite your passion for adventure, action and travel! The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to Santa Cruz with four shows and two programs to choose from. This stop on the world tour is hosted by UCSC Recreation and is a benefit for the Wilderness Orientation Scholarship Fund and Recreation Program Scholarships.
Learn more at riotheatre.com.
SURFER’S PATH 10k/5k February 23, Capitola
This 10k/5k event covers a portion of the epic Surfer’s Path Marathon & Capitola Half Marathon course. The distance is reduced but the scenery remains breathtaking. Participants will be treated to beachfront and bluff views of the Monterey Bay along the majestic Santa Cruz County coastline. Travel along the Surfer’s Path, passing many of the world’s most famous surf breaks.
There will be plenty of surf music and celebration at the finish area located in the heart of Capitola Village. Learn more at runsurferspath.com.
BUFFALO BANKED SLALOM March 7, Mt. Shasta
This event is unique in that it uses a natural gully (called Buffalo Gulch) while most banked slalom courses consist of man-made berms on open ski slopes. The course descends over approximately 1,000 feet from the top of Coyote Butte to its base. The event is open to men and women, skiers and snowboarders of all ages.
Fun fact: Bill Buffalo, a legendary Mt. Shasta local, was one of the first men to bring a snowboard to Mt. Shasta during its conception years, giving Buffalo Gulch its name.
Learn more at skipark.com.
SEA OTTER CLASSIC April 16-19, Monterey
This world-renowned family-friendly cycling festival boasts mountain bike XC, downhill, dual slalom & short track racing. A new timed gravel race is also on the schedule, and road cyclists can compete in circuit and road racing. Non-competitive tours are also offered, such as Gran Fondos and recreational events for riders of all ages. An expo, food court, stunt shows, carnival activites and so much more round out the festivities. Learn more at seaotterclassic.com.
TRUCKEE RUNNING FESTIVAL May 31, Truckee
Join in for a morning of Truckee running and fun at Riverview Park. Sign up for a 5K (benefiting Girls on the Run Sierras) or 10K along the Legacy Trail or a half marathon featuring beautiful and scenic trails of Waddle Ranch. Bring the kids for age appropriate distance fun races. Salomon Running will be onsite providing several new running shoes for demo. Tahoe Sports Hub will also be onsite with a selection of running gear. o Learn more at tahoetrailrunning.com. Photo: Harry Lefrak
SANTA CRUZ PADDLEFEST March 26-29, Santa Cruz
Mark your calendars as all manner of paddling crafts take over West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz Paddlefest is a community-run and organized festival that focuses on racing and surfing paddlesports. Categories are offered for all ages and experience levels. Whether it is kayaking, SUP, waveski, outrigger, or surfski there is a category for you.
Visitors are welcome to spectate for free but event participants are required to register in advance. Learn more at santacruzpaddlefest.com.
June 13-14, Nevada City CA
The legendary Nevada City Classic ProAm Criterium will be joined by five other Nevada County cycling events for a weekend of cycling fun. The Nevada County Cycling Festival will include the Rotary Gold Country Challenge road ride, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters gravel ride challenge, the Nevada City Fat Tire Festival, YBONC’s CA Dirt MTB Series and the Nevada City Brewfest — making for a cycling festival like no other. Us Learn more at NevadaCityClassic.com.
