Calling all Australians, including those of us in the west: you are invited to take part in an online survey about the cultural significance of snow and snowy environments in Australia in light of the effects of climate change.

Not a survey topic you would have seen before, I bet! Maybe the refreshing uniqueness is one reason I took part in the survey, which is being conducted by Dr Andrew Gorman-Murray at the University of Wollongong, down the coast from Sydney.

A Thredbo ski slope in
a very poor season.
In the future, this could
be as good as it gets!

Dr Gorman-Murray says that although we have plenty of scientific projections about the damage climate change will do to snow in Australia (and it’s not pretty), we have little data on cultural or personal responses to this. Information about people’s memories and experiences of snow in Australia, and what snow means to the Australian identity, is not well documented. Neither is the extent of people’s awareness of the history and geography of snow in Australia.

By completing the survey, you can contribute to the understanding of the cultural dimensions of climate change relating to snow. This is becoming more relevant as governments form climate change policies. Australians not living near snow are encouraged to contribute, to ensure there isn’t an south-eastern states bias.

If you found my website when searching for anything to do with West Australian snow, then you might well have some interest or feeling on the subject … and Dr Gorman-Murray would value your input.

The survey, and more information about it, can be found at:
www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zU33zSv8O90j9xmzwNuS6w_3d_3d
Info about Dr Gorman-Murray:
www.uow.edu.au/science/eesc/eesgenstaff/UOW003012.html