Photo: Jean-Michel BAUD

A lot has been said about the Sochi Olympics. With a price-tag of $55 billion, these Winter Olympics were by far history's most expensive.

One of the most publizied stories out of the games has been the relative warm temperatures and the lengths through which the Russian government has gone to make snow. It is estimated that the government spent over $1 billion ensuring that there would be enough powder for the all of the events.

The Sochi difficulties can likely be attributed to a questionable choice of location and not to massive changes in the world’s climate. Regardless, Sochi serves as a good platform to begin discussing an unfortunate potentiality: 

There is a very real possibility that in the near future, few nations will be able to host the games.

In the NY Times SundayReview, Porter Fox, editor of Powder Magazine, a popular snow sports publication, outlines the potential problems for the winter sports industry in the future. 

In it, Mr. Fox cites climatologist Daniel Scott:

“With a rise in the average global temperature of more than 7 degrees Fahrenheit possible by 2100… of the 19 cities that have hosted the Winter Olympics, as few as 10 might be cold enough by midcentury to host them again. By 2100, that number shrinks to 6.”

Fox also discusses the historic reticence of the ski community to get involved in the conversation about climate change and how that has changed in recent years. The winter sports community is beginning to push for action. Numerous resorts and companies around the world have petitioned their governments to pass policy to curb emisisons levels. They are motivated by rising temperatures, shortened seasons, and the potential loss of billions of dollars in profit.

For skiers, snow is fun. But for millions of the global poor, snow means jobs, water, and electricity. Without snow, residents of countries like Nepal are seeing their lives change before their eyes.

Millions of people from all over the world come together to participate in and watch the Olympics. It's a unique manifestation of Global Citizenship. As another Winter Games has come and gone, let's harness the cooperation that is an implicit part of the Olympic spirit to ensure that they can continue for generations to come.

Take the quiz on the top right of the page to test your knowledge and earn Global Citizen points.

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By Tom Blake

Read the full story at the NY Times.