activities

1STEP will focus on three strategic areas (ABC) towards realizing its purpose;

Awareness Raising and education around the issues of climate change and environmental degradation in the context of winter recreation.

Examples:
1. By creating interactive learning modules, such as a carbon calculator, on its website.

2. By communicating sustainable strategies on merchandise (re-useable bags, t-shirts) and demonstrating them throughout our operation.

3. By supporting glaciology research and funding the dissemination of findings at appropriate conferences such as the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW).

4.  By producing educational content showcasing environmentally sound practices for winter recreation.

Building and supporting sustainable models and products to be adopted by ski resorts and individuals.

Examples:
1.  By partnering with manufacturers of ski apparel / equipment (Salomon, Helly Hansen, Dakine, Smith) towards developing products (Salomon’s bamboo ski, Smith recycled Goggle Line) that are sourced from renewable resources and/or utilize recycled materials.  This requires the unpaid input of founder Mark Abma in the design process.

2. By subsidizing the cost of alternative / renewable energy systems (bio-diesel set-ups for generators and vehicles that convert waste vegetable oil to clean bio-diesel) for qualified resorts. Determined through a grant writing scheme, reviewed and voted on by the Board. Communication about grant will be the responsibility of the Managing Director.

Carbon reducing, offsetting and sequestering.

Examples:

1. By donating to those Whistler 2020 Sustainability initiatives that help reduce vehicle use and thus carbon emissions (i.e. waste disposal receptacles that are close enough to walk or a ride a bike to) and protect forested areas; community initiatives that serve to reduce and sequester carbon respectively.

2. By donating to carbon offsetting programs such EcoNeutral (www.econeutral.com) and similar programs run by the David Suzuki Foundation.