A new sustainability initiative launched at RMU Whistler aims to save the ski industry "one beer at a time."
The Upper Village pub/retail shop is launching its new "Climate Kegs" initiative on Sept. 1, which will channel proceeds to tree-planting organizations as a means of offsetting its carbon footprint.
"Each beer enjoyed at our venue during the sale of a Climate Keg plants five trees in our local ski area, offering a tangible way for our community to give back," said RMU's environmental coordinator Archie Brown, in an email. "This flexible initiative has gained substantial momentum, with local breweries also adopting 'RMU Climate Kegs.' Our goal is to plant one million trees annually by 2025."
RMU is collaborating with U.S.-based tree-planting company One Tree Planted on the initiative.
"They oversee thousands of tree planting projects worldwide and enable us to maintain a dynamic initiative with ongoing monthly projects. Our decisions regarding their project locations are grounded in maximizing tangible benefits for the community," Brown said. "Our aim is to provide the community with an opportunity to contribute to the ski hill they cherish. While not always feasible to plant directly on the ski hill itself, we focus on the surrounding mountains for tree planting."
RMU is already "a great advocate" for the environment, he added, and the new project is just another way for the brand to walk the proverbial walk.
"It is also an amazing chance to educate mountain towns about the effects that climate change is having on ski hills, notably shorter seasons, more volatile temperature variability, and extreme weather," Brown said. "As an environmental advocate with a background in environmental engineering and living in Whistler, falling in love with the mountains and skiing, having the opportunity to give back is incredibly rewarding. Our aim is for the climate keg to not only involve tree planting but also to serve as a platform for the community to contribute to their ski hills through various means such as water quality, air quality, clean energy, etc., all while enjoying a beers."
Catch the first climate keg at RMU Whistler on Friday, Sept. 1.
