ASPEN, Colo.– A new study in Aspen paints a dramatic picture of the area’s climatic future should temperatures and atmospheric pollution continue to rise. In a better-case future, in which the growth of global emissions of greenhouse gases are slowed, Aspen temperatures are projected to rise 6 degrees by the year 2100, giving it a climate comparable to what is now found at Los Alamos, N.M., or even Glenwood Springs, Colo. On the other hand, if the direst warnings of scientists are correct and greenhouse gases remain unchecked, temperatures could rise 14 degrees by century’s end, making Aspen’s average daily temperatures more like those of Salt Lake City or Boise. Even in the better-case scenario, skiing is expected to shrink as a component of Aspen’s economy. In the worst-case scenario, skiing will disappear altogether. These and other findings were released last month by Aspen town leaders, who have been working with climate scientists and others during the last year in an effort that, by several measures, is groundbreaking. The study was the result of Aspen’s Canary Initiative, which was launched a year and a half ago by the city government. In the first part of […]