Editor's Note: There have been several reports on FasterSkier.com from the Haig glacier over the course of the summer. This is one of the best summer skiing options in North America. You can read more about training on the Haig and view images, in the following articles – and .
A few weeks ago our team had a training camp on the Haig Glacier just outside of Canmore, Alberta. Although being located in the heart of the biggest provincially and nationally protected wilderness areas, the Haig glacier has been unmistakably melting just a bit more and more each year. Everyday human activities are the source for Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, which in turn are one of leading causes of climate change. Each of us produces tons and tons of GHG each year and we all contribute to damaging our own environment and ecosystems.
I would like to remind you of the famous “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle†campaign and maybe get you to think about how YOU can implement these actions in your life.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Resolve to recycle. You can recycle a lot of materials. Make sure that all recyclables are rinsed and flattened before being recycled.
2. Rather than tossing out old items that are “gently used” and still useable, box them up and give them to the Goodwill, Salvation Army or another charity in your area who will sell the items and use the money for a good cause.
3. Use your feet! Walk, bike, rollerblade, or run whenever you can. If you can't use your feet – take a bus! Reduce emissions by reducing how often you drive (or are driven) places!
4. Replace the light bulbs in your house — use halogen light bulbs to save money and reduce GHG emissions. Always turn the lights off when possible.
5. Install low — flow shower heads.
6. Buy wind power! Did you know that you can buy wind power from the Pembina Institute to offset your emissions? Power your computer or your whole home with 100% renewable energy for a cleaner, healthier environment. Check out www.pembina.org/wind
Windmills = 1 less tonne
7. In conclusion, you can also try the “One Less Tonne Challenge†tool, which presents 20 simple actions you can take to reduce GHG emissions at home and on the road (www.onelesstonne.ca). It invites you to make a commitment to change the way you use energy and reduce your personal emissions by at least one tonne. With every action you pick, you get a tally of the emission reductions you'll achieve, as well as the money you'll save through reduced electricity or fuel costs.
And don’t forget that by reducing, reusing and/or recycling you are also being a great role model to people around you!
Thank you for reading!
– Dasha
P.S. Here are the coordinates of Haig glacier on Google Earth maps: 50o42′ N / 115o18′ W. Unfortunately the present day glacier is much smaller than the image of it on this map.
Source: Cross-Country Canada
