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KEEP WINTER COOL

Launch of 2008 Keep Winter Cool Initiative

  • Global warming poses a significant threat to Australia’s alpine regions.
  • CSIRO research into the possible effects of climate change in alpine resorts indicates that with sufficient investment in snow making, the Australia ski industry will be able to manage the projected impact of climate change until at least 2020.
  • The Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort Management Board estimates that a good season can generate over 130 jobs per annum and bring in over 21 million dollars into the Regional Economy.
  • Keep Winter Cool is a climate change awareness initiative that encourages alpine businesses and visitors to help combat the effects of climate change on the Alpine environment.
  • KWC was introduced in 2006 by the ARCC, the Australian Alps Liaison Committee and the Australian Ski Areas Association.
  • The focus in the past two years has been community awareness of the KWC brand and the impact of global warming in the Alps.
  • While we must be aware of threats, we should refer to focus on opportunities and what we can all do to make a difference.
  • Keep Winter Cool is a vital climate change awareness program designed to ensure we all do our bit to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the snow.
  • It is all about recognising the danger global warming poses and putting in place the actions we can all take now to help alleviate the impact of climate change.
  • The Keep Winter Cool campaign is unique in that it targets an entire environment. And the people who work and play in that environment.
  • For the past two years the focus has been on raising community awareness of the Keep Winter Cool brand and on the potential impacts of global warming in the Alps.
  • In 2008 Keep Winter Cool will build upon the past two years work, and introduce behaviour change promotions that highlight ways everyone can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Key elements of the 2008 campaign include:

Spreading the message that individual action will help

  • Mt Baw Baw will ensure that the Keep Winter Cool sign is prominent
  • KWC signs, stickers, postcards and fold cards will again be distributed across Alpine Hotel rooms, Private Apartments and Lodges. They are an important way of spreading the message.
  • Many Mt Baw Baw stakeholders have signed up your business to the Keep Winter Cool Charter.
  • We encourage your visitors to reduce their greenhouse gas production, and to take active steps to reduce the emissions of your own businesses.
  • In 2008, our Keep Winter Cool campaign will encourage snow visitors to commit to three simple, everyday energy saving actions:
    • Set heaters between 18 and 20 degrees;
    • Taking a maximum four minute shower; and
    • Turning appliances off at the switch.
  • These are simple things everyone can do, both on the mountain and at home.
  • By turning heaters down by just two degrees you can reduce greenhouse gases and save up to 17,800 black balloons and $150 off household energy bills a year.
  • Each black balloon represents 50 grams of greenhouse gases. The average Victorian household produces around 240,000 balloons of greenhouse gases a year.
  • The science is complex. But the message is simple. If we all do our bit we can make a difference.

Distribution of ‘action packs’ to mountain visitors

  • In 2008, Keep Winter Cool will join the Victorian Government’s Energy Savings campaign, better know as Black Balloons, to distribute ‘action packs’ to overnight visitors to the mountains.
  • Each ‘take home pack’ includes a thermometer, four minute shower timer and ‘switch-off-the-powerpoint’ stickers to help people save energy at home as well as when they’re away for a skiing weekend.
  • These reminders are about helping people translate their good intentions into actions that save energy.
  • Hotels lodges and commercial apartment managers are also being encouraged to place energy saving reminders, like four minute shower timers in their accommodation rooms.
  • This is not only good for their financial bottom line – but good for the environment – a win-win.

An interactive computer game

  • An on-line game to teach young people about energy use and the link with greenhouse gasses is another great initiative for 2008.
  • With the working title Keep Winter Cool – or the Snowman Gets It!, the game is being produced by Keep Winter Cool and Swinburne University’s Games and Multimedia Unit within the Faculty of Life and Social Science.
  • We are enthusiastic about this initiative as it is as innovative way to combat climate change.
  • It is great that Keep Winter Cool has recognised that in order to fully engage young people, we need to talk with them in new ways.
  • Gamers will learn about and choose energy saving appliances, objects and activities to reduce their production of greenhouse gasses.
  • Greenhouse gasses will be measured in black balloons, a nice tie in with the Black Balloons Save Energy campaign.
  • Successfully completing the greenhouse gas reduction game will result in the gamers being given a reward game, for example going snowboarding or having a snowball fight.
  • http://www.keepwintercool.com.au/game/KWC.php

Lots of other things

  • This year Keep Winter Cool has formed a relationship with the organisers of the Australian Hoppet.
  • Most of you will know that this is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race. It attracts the best competitors from around Australia and the World.
  • And it will be hard to miss the Keep Winter Cool message emblazoned across competitor’s bibs and around the course.
  • The Keep Winter Cool website is being updated and I encourage you to ensure your own carbon friendly initiatives, such as Baw Baw’s Green Visitor Program which is featured on the Mt Baw Baw website.
  • Finally, we encourage you to undertake your own energy audits discover that small changes, with a cost recovery of less than two or three years, lead to significant greenhouse gas reductions.

 

Melbourne's closest alpine resort