The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership Applauds The Senate Climate Solutions Caucus
New Bipartisan Membership Indicates Increased Focus on Climate Change In Washington
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Boulder, CO, Lakewood, CO and Park City, UT November 7, 2019. Today, the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP) applauded the formation of the new bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. The new Senate Climate Solutions Caucus was formed late last month by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D- Del.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and plans to focus on finding solutions that would attack climate change in a way that is “durable, equitable and supportive of the American economy.”
“The Outdoor Business Climate Partnership applauds the launch and the growing bipartisan membership of the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus. Longer and hotter summers, prolonged droughts, increasingly devastating forest fires, rising sea levels, warming waters, reduced river flows, and unreliable snowpack are impacting our industry and communities across the country that support the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy. Thank you to all of the Senators who have recognized these impacts are taking action,” said the OBCP in a joint statement.
OBCP is an alliance of the three major outdoor industry trade groups (OIA, NSAA, SIA) representing a large portion of the outdoor business sector, which helps to support the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy and 7.6 million jobs. This influential coalition is committed to elevating the business voice of the $887 billion outdoor industry to drive bipartisan action on climate.
Today, just after the administration announced the formal departure of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, the Caucus’ membership grew to include influential GOP Senators such as Mitt Romney (R-UT), Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Democrats Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and independent Angus King (I-ME), indicating a willingness to discuss climate from congressional members on both sides of the aisle.
The economic impacts of climate change will gravely affect the outdoor recreation economy in states across the country. For example, according to OIA, Colorado’s outdoor industry drives $28 billion in added consumer spending, Utah generates $12.3 billion, Maine $8.2 billion, New Hampshire $8.7 billion, Alaska $7.3 billion, South Carolina $16.3 billion.
During a recent visit to Capitol Hill, OBCP representatives from SIA, OIA and NSAA, Colorado Ski Country USA, Telluride Ski Resort, Loon Mountain and Ski NH met with Senators Braun, Coons, Murkowski and Romney to communicate the economic impacts on the outdoor industry in their states and the importance of joining the Caucus.
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About the OBCP:
Formed in January 2019, the Outdoor Business Climate Partnership (OBCP) is a collaboration of three outdoor recreation trade organizations – the National Ski Areas Association, Outdoor Industry Association, and Snowsports Industries America focused on advocating for a clean energy economy to improve the resiliency of the $887B outdoor recreation industry. The OBCP represents the business interests of outdoor industry brands, retailers, suppliers, and ski resorts across the United States, and aims to provide leadership on climate change and inspire meaningful action across its collective memberships.
About SIA:
Founded in 1954 and based in Park City, UT, Snowsports Industries America is a non-profit, member-owned trade association representing the winter industry including, suppliers, retailers, sales reps and resorts. We provide value to our members through continuous education, insightful research, and events that drive business, while addressing pressing issues that face our industry. We are United By Winter. For more information and to become a member, visit: www.snowsports.org.
About NSAA:
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) is a trade association representing the interests of ski area operators and industry suppliers. Formed in 1962, NSAA designs and supports ski industry initiatives and programs, including growth, safety and sustainability, from its Lakewood, Colo., headquarters. Learn more about NSAA’s mission and programs at NSAA.org.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA unites and serves over 1,300 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.
For more information, please contact:
Eric Henderson
Meteorite PR (SIA)
ehenderson@MeteoritePR.com
307.690.2984
Adrienne Saia Isaac
Director of Marketing and Communications
National Ski Areas Association
aisaac@nsaa.org
720.963.4217
Cody Wertz
303-518-2112
Freestone@outdoorindustry.org
