The Time the Earth Stood Still LETTER
FROM THE
CEO
The COVID–19 pandemic has allowed our planet to take a short
world is to reclaim the planet we have trashed given the chance.
breath – while we hold ours. It has taught us something about the
We have seen how clear the waters of Venice can become in the
power of nature and the fragility of our lives.
absence of motorboats, how clean the skies from New Delhi to New
Trying to conduct even the most perfunctory daily functions – coordinating work and family responsibilities, maintaining mental and physical fitness, and even getting food on the table – without coming
York can become in the absence of cars, and how audible the songs of birds are in the absence of commercial activity. Fourth, COVID–19 taught us that in this bizarre and newfound battle
within six feet of another human – is not easy. But these will only be
between politics and science, science wins. Just as our leaders had to
temporary.
learn that the epidemiological science around COVID–19 was real, scary,
While the pandemic will have many lasting impacts on all of us, I have four hopeful observations. First, the unwavering altruism and community spirit shown by
and accurate, our leaders will also learn the same applies to climate science. Science, not politics, must direct our policies, whether it be
residents of the Roaring Fork Valley. Local philanthropists, including
COVID–19 response or climate change mitigation. We are learning the
ACES donors, raised $3.5 million in only a few days for the 2020 Rescue
hard way that we must trust environmental scientists as we do doctors
Fund. Aspen, Pitkin County, and Snowmass governments dedicated
and professionals who have decades of education and work experience
$7 million to help locals through financial uncertainty.
in their fields. Science must be the foundation of our health and
Neighbors helping neighbors. Teachers helping students. Our tireless medical workers giving everything they have. Financial
environmental policies. Anything less is irrational or demagogic. At ACES, we know we must live in harmony with natural systems in
assistance. Food access. Human grit! These humanitarian efforts
order to not only survive, but also prosper since “our economy is the
represent Aspen and our valley–wide communities at their best,
wholly owned subsidiary of the environment.” ACES’ job is to teach
revealing our true character.
people about that connection.
Second, while this outbreak is unlikely to lead to long term change
As you’ll see in this report, ACES has had one of its most mission–
in land use, air and water pollution, and carbon emissions (e.g. carbon
driven years ever. We celebrated our 50th anniversary and are now
emissions dropped only 1.3% during the 2009 financial crisis; scientists
80% toward completion of our $12.5 million capital campaign. With
today predict a carbon reduction due to this pandemic in 2020 of 8%),
these funds, we will be providing new environmental science education
I witnessed something that suggests we could someday solve the
at schools in Rifle, New Castle, Glenwood Springs, and more. These
climate crisis.
classes may contain a future president or an environmental visionary!
Solving it will require literally every government on earth and all
We will be expanding our outdoor field science programs to more
their citizens to unite on dramatic carbon reduction efforts and vast
underserved communities. We will renovate the Catto Center at Toklat
upscaling of renewable energy. This has always seemed impossible.
to become a world class wilderness retreat center, where we will
But this pandemic has shown us something remarkable about our
change minds by changing hearts. We are restoring aquatic habitat
will to survive that we may have never seen in human history.
at Hallam Lake and reintroducing native cutthroat trout. In addition
It suggests that, if and when we set our minds to something, we can
to growing even more local, sustainable food, we will create online
unite as global citizens of our one and only planet around a cause that
regenerative agriculture education that will span the globe. And,
threatens all life as we know it. We can do it. We will do it!
we will improve upon our physical facilities that, like our organization,
Third, while the coronavirus will not reverse the ravages of climate change, it is allowing us to see with our own eyes how quick the natural
Page 4 – ACES Annual Report 2020
are 50 years old.
