Aspen's Climate Change

By Bill Travis

Aspen's climate is changing. And greater change is projected with much higher temperatures. Some future scenarios result in temperatures high enough to end skiing on area mountains. How much warmer it gets, and the extent of impacts, depends on the global emissions of greenhouse gases, the climate system's response to those gases, and society's ability to adapt to change. Climate modeling in this report indicates that if communities and nations of the world choose to pursue a low emissions path, the change in Aspen's climate by the end of this century will be less severe, maintaining conditions closer to our present climate.

This report examines potential impacts to, and vulnerabilities of, area ecosystems, socioeconomics, and climatic conditions. The emphasis of this study is on how mountain snow may change and the subsequent cascade of impacts. Adaptations can be employed to reduce vulnerability to some impacts, particularly in the highly managed and built environment. Impacts to plant and animal communities, water resources, and recreational and cultural pursuits cannot be avoided; however, the extent of these impacts can be greatly reduced by a low-emissions path and adequate planning and implementation of necessary adaptations.