Q&A
Mark W. Williams is a fellow with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and a professor in the geography department at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Williams researches a wide range of topics related to snow. Author Bruce Stutz features Williams in his new book, “Chasing Spring,” recounting a hike with Williams to view the hastened Rocky Mountain snowmelt as part of Stutz’s cross-country trip to observe aspects of the changing seasons.
Q: How does your work at the University of Colorado translate into everyday people’s lives?
A: My research involves understanding snow, snowmelt and the biogeochemistry of seasonally snow-covered catchments, which translates into people’s lives in many ways.
For example, I’m working with the city of Aspen, the Aspen Global Change Institute and Stratus Consulting here in Boulder to understand how future changes in climate may affect the ski season at Aspen. Will there be enough snow to ski in 100 years? Will the ski area be able to open on Thanksgiving? Christmas? How much will the ski area have to increase its snow-making ability to be open on these dates?
Q: Global warming – some people say it’s a myth. What do you say?
A: Yeah, some people say that global warming is a myth, but not very many.
There is consensus among the scientific community that increasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are causing unprecedented increases in air temperature. The media is partially responsible for the controversy by giving equal weight to the few naysayers, most of whom have zero scientific credibility.
Q: Will Coloradans alive today feel a hard pinch from climate change?
A: There is consensus that air temperature will increase by several degrees over the next century. However, the big unknown is how these changes in air temperature will affect precipitation. Most of us won’t really feel the effects of slightly warmer temperatures. However, those warmer temperatures most likely will cause large changes in precipitation, because there is more energy in the atmosphere to evaporate water and to move around that water moisture in the atmosphere. So, we may end up with larger and longer droughts, or increased winter snow, or even both on different years or decades.
Q: Scientifically, who has better snow: The Rocky Mountains versus everybody else?
A: The Rocky Mountains. The reason is that it’s so bloody cold in the winter. That cold air results in the champagne powder that the Rockies are famous for.
– Joey Bunch, Denver Post staff writer
REGIONAL NOTES
CENTENNIAL
5K run to precede Super Bowl
Runners and walkers are invited to the 5K Super Bowl Fun Run before the football game Sunday, sponsored by South Suburban Parks and Recreation.
The run, which benefits youth sports programs, is scheduled for noon, with registration and check-in at 10:30 a.m. The course follows the High Line Canal Trail around deKoevend Park, 6301 S. University Blvd. Participants may register early for $10 at www.sspr.org. Race-day registration will be $15. For more information, call 303-798-7515.
FORT COLLINS
Museum celebrates its 65th year
The Fort Collins Museum is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a new exhibit, “amA-Zing! 65 years of the Fort Collins Museum,” opening today. A reception and birthday party will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum, 200 Mathews St.
Mayor Bill Hutchinson will present opening remarks, and guests will eat cake, hear music by Cowtown Boogie and view historic arts and crafts.
The opening reception is also in conjunction with First Friday Gallery Walk, held on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m.
For more information, call Beth Higgins at 970-416-2727.
