How Climate Change Threatens the Winter Olympics and Winter Recreation 

All winter sports enthusiasts understand fake snow is nothing new. But what about creating artificial weather, like rain or blue skies? 

The Chinese capital became the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics when the 2022 Winter Olympics opened on Feb. 4 in Beijing. In 2008, the Chinese used various strategies to try and “fix” the weather for the Summer Olympics, and new versions of those same tactics will be on display over the next two weeks when the country hosts the Winter Olympics.

This article breaks down how China tests climate resiliency limits and how climate change impacts winter sports. 

Attempting to Create Favorable Olympic Conditions

Much of the reason China is attempting to alter the weather in Beijing and the pollution problems it faces along with the neighboring province of Hebei. The average concentration of PM2.5, a hazardous airborne particle, in the area last year was 33 micrograms per cubic meter, a 13-percent reduction from 2020, but still well above the WHO’s guidelines of five micrograms per cubic meter. However, the concentration was measured at 205 micrograms per cubic meter in late January. China has put forward new policies to combat pollution since winning the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in 2015. Still, even government officials understand unfavorable weather conditions to use various techniques to combat pollution.

No country can rival the number of resources and effort China has put into controlling the weather for essential events. The government even has its branch devoted to science called the China Meteorological Association Weather Modification Center. In 2008, for example, the Chinese had 21 stations shoot rockets at clouds to prevent them from reaching the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremonies. In the month leading up to these games, China launched more than 250 rockets at clouds to prevent cloud coverage in the area, while 12 cloud-seeding aircraft are on standby for the Olympics.

The Hazy Impact of Weather Modification

China’s attempts to modify the weather reflect a long-taken reactive approach to global weather and evolving climate patterns. For example, in a set of prominent research papers, Shiuh-Shen Chien, a professor in geography, environment, and development studies at National Taiwan University, wrote, “In China, clouds are no longer seen merely as an atmospheric weather feature. Instead, clouds are now regarded as a water resource for human exploitation.” Meanwhile, most American and European experts don’t believe that cloud-seeding or any of the other techniques China has used in the past to control the weather makes that much of an impact.

China’s actions to control the weather may also affect neighboring countries like Nepal and India. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer on any effects outside the affected area. Still, Finnish scientist Hannele Korhonen worked on a cloud-seeding project in the Middle East. The biggest question he and his team wrestled with was where the water was coming from and where water was now missing since there is only a finite amount of water on Earth.

Read more on creating climate-resilient strategies: What Olympic Weather Interventions Reveal About Climate Resilience.

While China’s attempts to control the weather are innovative, it’s not a viable, widespread solution, yet millions enjoy winter sports. So, how will climate change impact the future of winter sports? 

Climate Change & Winter Sports

Summer-lovers may enjoy the idea of a mild winter, but warmer temperatures have serious consequences. 

A study conducted by Climate Central points to a broad warming trend since 1970, with five places where winters warmed the most are in traditionally cold locations such as: 

• Burlington, VT
• Minneapolis, MS 
• Concord, NH 
• Milwaukee, WI 
• Waterloo, IA

For winter sports, cold weather is just the first ingredient. Snowfall is next. Sports like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing rely on natural snow. So when forecasts call for snow, many are more encouraged to hit the slopes, too. 

Climate Central conducted another study assessing annual U.S. snowfall data from 107 weather stations, dating from 1970 to 2018. As reported by Climate Central: 

Since the 1970s, 57 of the 107 stations assessed experienced declines in average annual snowfall of at least an inch. The biggest losers were Flagstaff, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Casper, Wyoming, which are historically snowy cities with connections to winter sports. In those three cities, annual snowfall dropped by 48, 31, and 29 inches, respectively. In total, 17 weather stations lost at least a foot of snow. 

Warmer winters have a negative economic impact. According to Protect Our Winters (POW), more than 20 million people participated in downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in the U.S. This activity brought in an estimated $20.3 billion in economic value to the U.S. economy, from purchasing gear, booking resort tickets, and dining at local restaurants/bars.

Studies show a direct consumer impact when seasons are hit with lower amounts of snow. For example, as reported by POW, “In low snow years, reduced participation decreased value added by over $1 billion and cost 17,400 jobs compared to an average season.”

The Future of Winter Sports 

Winters are getting warmer. There’s less snow falling. But what does all of this information mean? One estimate claims the U.S. winter recreation season will be cut in half by 2050. 

Leaders and weather recreation enthusiasts are not bowing down to climate change just yet. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), and Snowsports Industries America (SIA) have joined forces with the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP). 

Through OBCP, associations will amplify the business voices of the outdoor industry to ignite climate change solutions. 

The OBCP said, 

“Our new Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP) aims to provide leadership on climate change and inspire meaningful action across our collective memberships. We will work together as stewards, innovators, and stakeholders in support of moving our country toward a clean energy economy and improving the resiliency of our $689 billion industry. The time for climate action is NOW.”