Spencer's Sustainability Review's

Success comes at a cost   Unlike many businesses, Amazon actually performed extremely well through the pandemic. As we were unable to safely go out and shop, we got many of our essential and non-essential goods online. According to the New York times, the shift in sales to online saw Amazon profits rise by 220% over the course of the pandemic (Weise 2021), as people used the service not only to order goods but to access entertainment and other services like their cloud computing.  - A snapshot of Amazons quarterly performance over the 3 years. See how sales spike massively over the course of the pandemic.    This success hasn’t come without deep cost the environment though.  The companies emissions spiked 19% (Boudreau 2021) through the course of the pandemic, due increased use of fossil fuels for building warehouses and data centres as well as the transportation if orders. Despite its size and influence over the world of business, Amazon previously hasn’t ...

What is GORE TEX?   We’ve all seen GORE TEX somewhere. Whether it be on a brand new pair of waterproof NIKE running shoes or this year’s latest take on the classic Arc’teryx shell jacket, GORE TEX has made its mark on the outdoor and fashion industry as the leading brand for high quality material. - GORE TEX membranes strength and durability a what drives people to pay +$600 per jacket in todays market   Essentially, it a breathable fabric membrane that is also water and wind proof made from heated PTFE. It’s durability and breathability makes it perfect for hard activities in the outdoors like rock climbing skiing and hiking.   What is the problem?    GORE TEX roots come from partnering with outdoor apparel companies, who have long voiced the importance of taking care of the planet and focusing on sustainability. So it’s ironic that one of the most important materials in the space is also one of the most toxic and pollutant.   The problem comes in the very...

Denial still exists, even in the Ski Industry   We’ve all heard that one of the main threats of climate change is the increase in temperatures that it will bring. in fact, this is already happening. Since widespread observation became available in 1930, Snowmass has decreased by 57% and is forecasted to continue at a rate of 0.19% per year (US EPA, 2022).    However, what is worrying is that it seems that not all influential members of the Ski industry seem to believe what is happening. In February of 2019, the President of the International ski federation (FIS), Gian Franco Kasper, denied climate science (Wenger 2019). He claimed a lack of proof and an abundance of snow pack for his thinking, as well as -35 degree temperatures in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Despite an outcry from skiers and companies, Kasper did not resign, only leaving the position upon his death in 2021. - Gian Franco Kasper, president of the FIS long opposed the evidence of climate change. He died ...