OLYMPIC ATHLETES IN SLUSHY SNOW WANT CLIMATE ACTION

Olympians speak out on climate change as Sochi warms up; Climate change has made its way to the Olympics. Athletes are banding together to urge action, saying rising temperatures are putting winter sports in jeopardy.

Wendy Koch, February 12, 2014 (USA Today)

“…[At least 105 Olympians from 10 countries, including 85 Americans,] have signed a petition urging world leaders to fight climate change as balmy weather creates slushy conditions at the Sochi Games…They're asking countries to reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions, embrace ‘clean energy’ and prepare for a global agreement at the United Nations' climate convention in Paris next year…[T]his is the first Winter Olympics at which they've coalesced on climate change…In Sochi, where temperatures have soared into the low 60s, a lack of snow has contributed to safety complaints that the halfpipe is too bumpy. Training for the men's super-combined downhill was postponed a few days this week while women's downhill training Tuesday was canceled…Only 11 of the previous 19 Winter Olympics host cities will be cold enough to reliably host the Games by mid-century and only six will be viable sites by 2100 if global warming projections prove accurate…” click here for more

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