I’ve just heard about this yesterday, maybe more of you were clued in sooner.

 Tonight between 8 and 9 p.m. (your local time, whatever that may be), people all over the world are being asked to turn out the lights for the hour in an effort to increase global awareness and reduce carbon emissions.  The event started last year in Sydney, Australia, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund.  More than 2 million people participated in Sydney last year, and this year the initiative is going global.

In addition to turning out the lights, the hope is that you’ll turn off your non-essential appliances as well (not things like your refrigerator, etc; public safety lighting is not switched off, either).

The impact from the lights-out Earth Hour campaign will be seen in decreased demand for electricity, which will in turn result in a decreased production at power plants.

There has been quite a bit of debate around SkinnyMoose at various blogs as to whether or not Global Warming is real, or whether or not the debate should be closed.  Regardless of where you stand I think we should all be able to agree that the world can only be made better–and our economies, too–by reducing our reliance on petroleum and fossil fuels.  Since we’re on the path to running out anyway, I guess we’d better start doing something.  We can live cleaner, live without fear that we’re ruining the one earth we have, and leave a better, healthier place for our kids to live.  Who can argue with that?

It’s a simple thing to do to turn out your lights for an hour to make a statement and an, albeit small, impact.  The WWF is hoping that this will be a catalyst for change as well.  We’ll be participating here tonight (which won’t be too hard with the bedtime schedule we keep anyway ).  We’ll tuck the kids in bed or maybe let them stay up an extra half an hour and play a board game by candlelight (which by the way they’re saying should be beeswax…I might even have a couple still laying around….)….maybe come up with somtheing else we can do in the dark….

If you need more ideas, go to the Earth Hour website here: http://www2.earthhourus.org/.  It explains everything, better than I did, and tells you how to help tonight and in the future.

Those of you who have followed this blog have probably read the posts relating to snowmobiling and global warming.  In a related matter, I’m pointing you today to a cross-blog debate that’s going on here at SkinnyMoose Media.

Apparently this started with a podcast posted by Tom Remington, one of the SkinnyMoose founders, on his Black Bear Blog last week.  Now, before we go to far, I’ll tell you I haven’t listened to Tom’s podcast–I haven’t had the hour to devote to it. 

I learned of the cast at Lateral Lines, in a post by Lateral Lines author Jon Clausen.  The science on both sides is too complex to try to summarize for you.  You really should go learn the finer points from these well-versed gentlemen.  Essentially, the debate centers on whether or not global warming is a scam.  Jon’s point, that I think is very well merited, is that as outdoor enthusiasts, we have a responsibility to our world.  Actually, as humans and parents we do, but his focus is in rebuttal to a post aimed at sportsman, so the narrow focus is forgiven.

I do urge you to go to the sources for the facts, but I’d also like to offer this.  To some extent, the argument over global warming becomes a moot point (to some extent!).  You can’t honestly take a look at this world–at just your small corner of it–see the exhaust just from the cars in the center of your town, and believe that our manmade pollution is not affecting this environment.  There’s just no way to argue that we haven’t had an impact on it.

 But even beyond that, think about this–What’s the worse that could happen?

 If we continue to go on the way we are going, our kids will continue to suffer from more allergies, insensitivities, asthma, and beathing difficulties.  Depending on what you accept as science, the world will continue to warm, the ice caps will melt, sea levels will rise, and coastal land–homes–will be lost.

If global warming is a “scam”, and we reduce our emissions thinking it’s not, the worst we’ve done is cleaned up the place and left a better, cleaner, healthier place for our kids and grandkids.  More than likely we’d have saved a lot of arctic wildlife in the meantime and righted some balance to the equation.  You’ve provided a better home for your kids to live in.

The point being that if you are like a lot of people and don’t know what to believe in regards to the extent of Global Warming you have nothing to lose by embracing greener living.  The worst you can do is live healthier and leave the world in better, MORE SUSTAINABLE shape for your kids.  It’s tough to argue with that.

(By the way, this basic point that was made by John McCain at a New Hampshire campaign stop earlier in the year.  Just noting that in the interest of full disclosure.  It makes sense no matter who you are voting for.)

More thanks go to Mark Lester today from Supertrax.Again, this quote comes from the Supertrax newsletter.Mark brings up a very interesting point about buying snowmobiles that are more environmentally friendly. The answer here surprised me, and since we’ve heard so much about four stroke snowmobiles being the earth-friendly choice, I’m guessing it might be the first many of you have heard about this, too.

“Now after saying this and paying attention to your site’s concern over the environment, I would like to give you this qualifier as well. New EPA certified (not compliant) 2 strokes like the SDI Ski-Doo’s and the Polaris Cleanfires are no more dirty than comparable 4 strokes. In fact, the new certified 2 strokes generate less emissions in some situations than comparable 4 strokes. Vice-versa applies in certain situations with certified 4 strokes as well.

What I’m saying is this – it’s about the EPA certification – not about the strokes. Keep in mind, Ski-Doo SDI 2 strokes are mpg champions in every class.”

Again, the issue is not as cut and dried as it would at first appear, and if you really want to buy the most environmentally friendly sled, it seems some more research and reading is in order. Great info to have; I’m glad Mark brought this up because it’s the first that I’ve heard of it. At any rate, at least we can feel better that strides are being made in cleaning up snowmobile emissions to protect the earth and save our winters!

You might recall a while back (and if not I don’t blame you) I promised to seek out answers to an appropriate question:

What Is The Perfect Women’s Snowmobile?

Recently, I posed this question to “Motorhead Mark” (aka Mark Lester) from Supertrax through the Supertrax  website.  I expected a short and thoughtful answer, but Mark delivered so much more!  My question has been included in the latest Supertrax newsletter, which I now receive via email after having registered for the free Polaris giveaways.

Mark delivered a full article-length description of what he thinks makes the ideal women’s sled.  He didn’t offer up any single sled in particular, but mentions some very good possibilities offered by various manufacturers.  More importantly, Mark tells us why he recommends the sleds he does.  He also gets into some other very pertinent issues regarding buying snowmobiles and choosing the right sled for you; Mark shows he did his homework, too, and visited the SledChix Blog prior to answering the question, so he talks about all the things that are important to us here, including buying environmentally friendly snowmobiles (and the answer here might surprise you–a must read before you buy a new sled!).

I’m not going to do Mark an injustice by trying to paraphrase someone who is obviously a far more experienced and knowledgeable expert than I am (especially since an expert I’m not).  Instead, I’ll give you the link to the newsletter.  When you get there, scroll down to ‘Ask The Experts’ and click on the obvious link (what’s the perfect women’s sled) to learn from Mark’s very good advice.

I’d like to extend my Thanks to Mark for not only answering my questoin, but doing so so thoroughly.  This isn’t the last we’ll hearing about this article; in the next  few posts I’ll take some time to highlight some important topics and aspects of buying snowmobiles that Mark included.

To read Mark’s answer, read the Supertrax newsletter here.  Hey while you’re there, you might as well sign up to receive all the Supertrax newsletters (and don’t forget the free giveaways)!

Today is Blog Action Day; bloggers are being asked to dedicate a post today to the environment in hopes of saving it and increasing awareness.  Good timing, considering my weekend posts! In honor of the environment and Blog Action Day, I’m bringing you a checklist that you can find in its entirety on the Montana State Department of Environmental Quality Website (the link mentioned in the last post).  I chose this checklist because (as I understand it) these are things any snowmobiler can do, even if you don’t own one of the newer, more environmentally friendly snowmobiles.  Here’s what the list says to do to keep your snowmobile running its cleanest and greenest: -tune your snowmobile’s engine-tune/adjust your snowmobile’s clutch

-use the right jets in your snowmobile

-reduce pollution by running oxygenated fuels—they recommend 10% ethanol blend

-run synthetic lube oils—low particulate producing synthetics, which reduce particulates and smoke

-run synthetic biodegradable lube oil—touted as reducing negative health effects and being better for the environment

-contact a dealer, snowmobile retailer, or service station/provider for product availability 

That’s it!  I’m seriously going to look into these easy changes for this riding season; a new four-stroke isn’t in the financial cards this year, but with these tips there still might be something I can do with my sled to help the environment while I ride. Want to read more from

I’ve been off searching for good information regarding snowmobiles and the environment.  It’s tough to find because the Yellowstone issue has muddied the waters quite a bit, and there’s lots of claim that the studies on which the Yellowstone regulations have been based are flawed, biased, misinterpreted and ignored by various individuals, groups, and powers that be (on both sides of the issue).  Quite frankly, the average person couldn’t tell what to believe there. 

But, I promised to bring what I could and I’ve finally found a promising informational site that strives to lay out the facts about snowmobiling and its impact on the environment.  I’ve looked around this site for a few minutes and it seems to be pretty fair to both parties, and also offers solutions to the snowmobiling environment problem that go beyond banishing the sport of snowmobiling. 

The site is title Clean Snowmobile Facts and you can find it here.  Bookmark the page, because there’s a lot here to learn and the information deserves more than a passing glance. 

I’ve selected a few articles and points from this site, and in future posts I’ll discuss some of what I’ve found.  For those of you who visit the site, please do comment and let me know what you think about the issues and the information.

I’ve somewhat avoided starting discussions about snowmobiling and its affect on the environment.  I haven’t avoided it as much as I’ve put it off, primarily because I find the topic confusing and difficult to decipher. 

Now, lest my title deceive you, I DO NOT believe there is any Global Warming Debate—Global Warming as a direct result of human activity, is a fact, and is not debatable.  I don’t really debate that snowmobiling has a negative impact on the environment.  There’s really no environmentally friendly argument for a two-stroke motor, either.  Fortunately, the industry does seem to be trending toward more environmental responsibility and the new four-strokes are being touted in the snowmobile media as very promising machines; my husband, incidentally, concurs now that he’s stopped off to check them out our local Polaris showroom, Higgins Powersports. 

I do question how big of an impact snowmobiling has on the overall environmental picture.  The sources for - and especially against - snowmobiling in respect to the environment seem to be biased.  It’s just not easy to know what to believe.   

I am highly concerned about the global environmental picture, though, and we have started taking steps in our house to minimize our impact.  That being said, I agree with leaders that small changes can be the most effective because they are most painless, therefore most lasting, and that lowering emissions does not mean you have to drastically change what you do—you just have to learn to do it better.  This does include snowmobiling, but the intention is never to give up my one true love…just to progress in a more environmentally friendly way. 

Consider this post a call for facts and discussion on the matter.  I’m doing my best to wade through the info that’s out there and present something that seems factual and reliable.  I’ll post as I find it, and I invite you all to contribute.  I do ask, however, that discussions be kept respectful (no name calling or swearing—this issue seems to turn into a mud slinger), but debate is of course allowed.   

With the right information, snowmobilers can make responsible decisions and progress in the sport without killing either our kids, our great outdoors, or our sport.