Protect Our Winters (POW) announced the launch of POW Climb, a division of the POW Alliance focused on engaging the climbing community in climate action. To better represent all outdoor communities impacted by climate change, POW welcomes professional climber Tommy Caldwell to the Alliance, as well as the support of respected outdoor brand La Sportiva and climbing nonprofit the American Alpine Club.
Caldwell brings years of professional climbing experience and accomplishment to the team, most recently completing the highly-coveted first free climb of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan.
“As a climber and a father, I’m seeing the impacts of climate change first hand and feel the need to do everything in my power to protect my children’s futures,” said Caldwell. “At a recent POW Alliance training, the team laid out a vision to a carbon-neutral future that I want to be a part of, which is why I’m joining POW and helping launch POW Climb. It’s time to give the climbing community a platform to speak up about climate change.”
POW Climb is led by several athletes who are turning their passion for climbing into purposeful action on climate, including Caldwell and long-standing POW Alliance members, Conrad Anker, Emily Harrington, Adrian Ballinger, Graham Zimmerman, Beth Rodden, Matt Segal and Angela Hawse. These climbers belong to the Alliance of more than 140 professional athletes, scientists and creatives that work with POW to leverage their visibility, platforms and leadership to build awareness and inspire climate action.
Maria Povec, Programs and Policy Director for the American Alpine Club commented, “The AAC is psyched to rope up with POW on joint climate efforts. Through the Club’s Climate Task Force, and federal policy and advocacy work, the two organizations are poised to lead climbers in addressing impacts of a changing climate on our fragile mountain and climbing environments.”
According to Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America, “POW is leading the way in engaging athletes of outdoor sports in advocating for climate protection. Following closely behind POW Trail, which other La Sportiva athletes are engaged in, POW Climb is an exciting addition that will bring even more climbers and their followers into the fold.”
With the launch of POW Climb––and prior introduction of POW Trail in August 2017 to engage the trail running community––POW will continue to expand into more areas of the outdoors to bridge communities, unify individuals, brands and nonprofits and inspire collective action on climate solutions.
Protect Our Winters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns passionate outdoor people into effective climate advocates. Founded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones in 2007, Protect Our Winters leads a community of athletes, creative-pioneers and business leaders to affect systemic solutions to climate change. For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org.
