Protect Our Winters (POW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation that focuses on law reform for environmental issues and civic engagement campaigns such as sharing news from climate scientists.[1] The organization's headquarters are located in Boulder, Colorado, United States. According to the nonprofit's policy webpage, POW focuses its efforts on legislation regarding carbon pricing, solar, public lands, and transportation.[2] POW receives financial support from The North Face, Patagonia and CLIF Bar and many other corporate companies, partners, foundations, individuals and resorts.[3] The current executive director of POW in interim is Torrey Udall.[4]

Protect Our Winters
AbbreviationPOW
Founded2007; 17 years ago (2007)
TypeNon-governmental organization, non-profit organization
20-8474909
Legal status501(c)(3)
PurposeClimate Action, Outdoor Industry, Environmentalism
HeadquartersBoulder, Colorado
Region
Worldwide
Founder and President
Jeremy Jones
Torrey Udall
Wayne Hare; Damon Berger; Massimo Alpian; Michael Bennett; Matt Mullin; Sarah Steele; Michael "Ryan" Leuthner; Joel Simkins; Bryan Cole; Greg Szewczyk
Websitehttps://protectourwinters.org

History

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POW was created in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, strives to turn outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates.

Activism

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In December 2012, POW worked in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council to publish a study determining how climate change is affecting the economy of the winter sport and tourism industry in the United States.[5]

The organization, despite the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, sent a delegation to Washington to meet with senators and discuss the issues surrounding climate change.[6]

On December 3, 2013, POW spoke with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy on POW's influence on the winter sport community and POW agreed to fully support the EPA and Clean Air Act (United States).[7]

POW partnered with several Yale students to meet with winter athletes during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi to promote a more open discussion about the effects of climate change.[8]

POW also participated at a march at New York City during the UN Climate Summit of 2014.[9]

In 2018, POW executed two congressional briefings and three lobby days, including the highest attended annual September Lobby Day (35 attendees meeting with a total of 30 Congressional Offices). They had nine companies represented, including Alterra Mountain Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Bemis Associates, Burton, Mt. Bachelor, POWDR Corporation, Ski Utah, Smartwool, and Spyder.

In Canada

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Logo for Protect Our Winters Canada

A separate organisation, Protect Our Winters Canada, has 13 regional chapters and 32,000 members as of 2023.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ "DEEP: The Future of Snow: POW". Powder. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  2. ^ "Campaigns". Protect Our Winters. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  3. ^ "Protect Our Winters: Partners". protectourwinters.org. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  4. ^ "The POW Team - Our Staff". Protect Our Winters. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  5. ^ "Climate Impacts on the Winter Tourism Economy in the United States". www.nrdc.org. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  6. ^ "Aspen Climate Activists Take Pitch to DC". aspenjournalism.org. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Protect Our Winters Discusses Climate Solutions with EPA". powder.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  8. ^ "A Message for Sochi: Students Pitch Climate Story at Olympics". environment.yale.edu. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  9. ^ "What Has Protect Our Winters Done to Stop Climate Change This Year?". tetongravity.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Protect Our Winters Canada: MEC Outdoor Impact partner". MEC. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  11. ^ "Protect Our Winters Canada". Protect Our Winters Canada. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
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