I watched the Canadian Valérie Grenier’s giant slalom race with my daughter. A terrific descent that earned him a gold medal. Canada hasn’t had one in almost 50 years!
I had tears in my eyes. I admit it, sporting success often moves me.
I looked at my daughter and asked myself: will she ever be able to repeat this feat?
I’m afraid not.
Not because of his physical abilities.
I’m afraid that in 20 years there simply won’t be any more alpine skis worthy of the name.
The warm beginning of winter, with all the rain that melted the Christmas snow, really hit me.
I also had heartbreak when I saw the pictures of the ski slopes in Austria: small white stripes in the middle of green nature.
It reminded me of the Olympic Games in China, with competitions in the middle of an industrial area. There are limits to making snow.
i like winter I like to play outside. I like the effect of winter, which keeps some invading insects from settling here. I especially love winter because it’s a part of me.
Our Christmas carols, part of our tourism industry, our sporting pride (think hockey) depend on winter.
And we lose it.
In the coming years, we are particularly likely to experience many freeze-thaw periods to see more episodes of snow, ice, and rain on the same day.
The potholes will be happy…
A spark of hope
We recently learned that the past eight years have been the world’s hottest on record and the trend is continuing.
I understand people who are anxious.
The feeling of being helpless is very real. Where do we start if we want to change something?
It is difficult individually.
Especially since the solutions are collective.
Look at the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, signed by 195 countries in 1987, works.
We understood the problem then: CFCs and halons. They were banned. And the ozone hole could be completely closed in about 40 years.
Not easy
With climate change, it becomes more difficult.
Banning harmful gases in refrigerators is still easier than ending the use of fossil fuels, which give us our current level of comfort.
But it’s not impossible. Big climate rallies can deliver results. To achieve this, everyone, especially governments, must get their hands dirty.
So let’s not let fear hold us back. Let’s act, but most importantly, urge our governments to act, invest and legislate.
A small apartment on the ski
By the way, alpine skiing was broadcast in English on CBC.
It’s high time Radio-Canada gave more space to amateur sport… in French.
