Beijing 2022 will use 49,000,000 gallons of water for fake snow production – despite being the water-scarce capital of the world.
Beijing will be the first host for the Winter Olympics to rely almost completely on artificial snow. This is a historic moment that could become the norm as the planet gets warmer.
The artificial snow for 2022 Games will require 49 million gallons of water. This is despite China’s capital being one of the most water-scarce places in the world.
We examine the dangers of fake snow, how it is made and the impact it has on the environment.
Why do we rely more on fake snow?
Warmer temperatures have reduced the number of places where snow and/or ice sports can be performed in natural conditions.
February daytime temperatures have been steadily rising in Olympic Winter Games host city cities. They ranged from an average of 0.4% in the 1920s-50s to 3.1C in 1960s-90s and 6.3C today.
This has meant cities can rely less on natural snow and resorts have to resort to using fake snow.
Snowsports enthusiasts from the Alps to Pyrenees, Rockies to the Andes are reporting shorter seasons and lower snowfall levels.
The temperatures at Sochi’s last Games were as high as 16C.
Beijing has ski slopes this year in an area with just 2cm snowfall between January-2021.
How is fake snow made
Fake snow was first created in Japan in a laboratory before the US developed machines to distribute them.
The machines are composed of water pumps and compressors, air plants and piping. They also require electricity.
Water may contain chemicals or biological additives to improve its quality.
To prevent water from freezing at high temperatures at the 2010 Vancouver Games, pesticide was used to make fake snow.
Cross-country skiing trails can also be improved by using snow hardeners such as salt or fertilisers.
Why is fake snow so bad for the environment
To create fake snow, Beijing used an estimated 49,000,000 gallons of water.
Environmentalists are alarmed by this because the city is one the most water-scarce places in the world.
Protect Our Winters UK program manager Dominic Winter said that this is a huge drain on a very water-scarce region.
Even if man-made snow can be powered by renewable energy, it will still require large amounts of energy. This is both expensive and a significant drain of water resources.
Eight water cooling towers, as well 130 fan-driven snow generators, are required.
Three pumps stations at different elevations are also required to supply around 300 snowmaking machines.
Beijing organizers responded to the criticism by saying that there would be sufficient supplies from existing storages and stored runoff – water collected from ground surface from excess rainwater, melting snow, etc.
In its sustainability report for last year’s Games, it stated that it would use renewable energy at the venues and recycle water.
It stated: We will give priority to environmental and resource conservation, environment friendliness and contribute to a beautiful world.
Artificial snow’s chemical composition can also cause disruption to vegetation. It remains on the ground longer during the melting season, causing slower plant growth.
Mr Winter stated that artificial snow can sometimes be modified by chemical or biological additives, as was the case in the 2010 Games. This is likely to have an impact on wildlife.
This is not the kind of legacy that the Olympics aspires to leave.
Artificial snow can increase water runoff during the melting seasons, which can lead a higher risk for flooding and disruption to watersheds.
Local wildlife can also be affected by the noise of snow canons at nights.
What are the risks associated with artificial snow?
Artificial snow creates a harder, faster surface which can lead to severe injuries for athletes.
It contains almost 30% ice, 70% air, and natural snow is closer to 10% and 90% respectively.
Laura Donaldson, a British freestyle skier, stated that athletes are more at risk when competing on artificial snow.
She stated that “if freestyle superpipes are made from snow-making machines during a poor season, then the walls of the pipe and floor are solid, vertically ice.
“This is dangerous for athletes.”
A superpipe is a large, half-pipe structure that is used in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
For safety reasons, freestyle skiers and snowboarders who fly off jumps or slide on rails high above ground prefer natural snow’s soft surface.
What has been said?
Sren Ronge is Europe coordinator for Protect Our Winters Europe. He sees artificial snow a way to adapt to the larger issue of climate change, which threatens not only the future Winter Olympics, but also the planet.
He stated that artificial snow is not an end-all solution but an adaptation strategy.
We need systemic solutions to drastically reduce emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change if we want to ensure the future of winter sports.
Mr Ronge said: Artificial snow requires large amounts of energy and water in its creation. It can also affect landscapes and local ecology. To increase freezing temperatures and to make the snow structure more stable, chemicals may be required.
Artificial snow will not be made if the temperatures rise further.
Mr Winter stated that it would be better to choose venues with natural snow. While snow guns are useful in ensuring that resorts are open during bad weather, which can have a devastating effect on local economies, they shouldn’t be considered a plan B.
According to the International Ski Federation: Snow-making technology is rapidly improving and there are already major steps in reducing the energy and water needed to produce artificial snow.
This technology is demonstrated by the system used at 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Artificial snow isn’t the problem and it is certainly not the solution, Mr Ronge stated.
He said: If we can reduce our emissions significantly by moving to clean energy, transportation, then we still have a chance at protecting winter.
But we must work together quickly.
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