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Sometimes, it feels like I’m screaming into the void. Not only on this blog (hi, loyal readers!), but generally speaking, when it comes to the climate.

It happens quite often here in Minnesota. You’re having a normal conversation with a family member, friend, or complete stranger. The topic could be anything. Suddenly, there is a lull, and one person brings up the weather.

Here in Minnesota, it’s usually about how “bad” the weather is, or how “good” it is, as compared to some desired normal. November, I’ve determined, is the time when there is a near-universal acclaim for the “beautiful” or “gorgeous” weather we’re having.

I mean, sure, in September, when the leaves are (supposed to be) turning colors, and there is a light breeze, and it’s 60° and sunny, that’s some pretty nice weather. To be celebrated, even!

In November, weather like this should be cause for panic.

I’ve been searching for the perfect rejoinder, that doesn’t make me sound like a complete scrooge, to the statement “this weather sure is beautiful”, but still reminds folks how freakish it is.

A fact I’ve been pondering lately is that during high school (back in the mid-90s!) we used to have a Thanksgiving ski camp at Welch Village. This required a packed snow depth of about 10″ or so. All man-made, to be sure, but at least it was cold enough (daily temperatures below 28°) to make the snow.

I’m currently wondering if we’ll even be able to go skiing before December 1st this year.

All of which to say, it should be cold-slap-in-the-face obvious that the climate has changed dramatically here. Most Minnnesotans know that on a gut level, even if they are not yet able to elevate it to the level of their electoral decisions.

However, with the recent election result, I feel hope again that maybe, just maybe, we’ll muster the political will necessary to combat climate change.

The coalition around this is broader than you might think:

• Skiers, Snowboarders, Cross-country Skiers
• Snowshoers and fat bikers
• Snowmobilers and ice-fishers
• Ice skaters and hockey players
• Sledders, snow-people makers, and more

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Minnesotan that doesn’t enjoy one of those things.

I read Jeremy Jones’s recent post with interest, because he attacks this idea that he should just “stick to snowboarding” and “not get political”.

I get it. You came for the powder, not the politics. But here’s my problem with that advice: I can’t stick to snowboarding without snow.

And the reality now is that engaging in any of those activities now is a political act. You simply can’t avoid it, because the way things are going, they will all disappear.

The whole piece is worth reading, a couple highlights:

• Clean energy employs three times as many people as oil and gas.
• Wind, solar and batteries are not just better for the environment, they win on the economics as well.

More…

Outdoor recreation is a $1.3 trillion piece of the American economy, supporting 5.2 million jobs, roughly four times as many as oil and gas. We’re the lift ops, the guides, the shop techs, the gear makers, and the motels and diners in every mountain and river town in the country.

But they act like a giant and we act like a hobby. Oil and gas spent $219 million on the last election and $150 million lobbying Washington. They vote together, give together and fight every bill that touches their business.

Our current Minnesota representatives score highly on the Environmental Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters, but with so many priorities in front of us after a disastrous two years of Trump 2.0, we need to ensure that climate stays at the forefront. Our legislators can walk and chew gum at the same time, and we as constituents should advocate with that reality in mind.

The combined economic might of the clean energy industry, and the outdoor recreation industry, should be enough to move the needle with legislators. We have the playbook for rapidly advancing our technology, as well as ensuring the protection of our environment. But, the window for implementing dramatic policy changes that could mitigate the worst outcomes of climate change is closing rapidly. Minnesota is already experiencing significant changes. We need to act now before our winters are gone forever.