Ski Slope Syllogisms

#1

- Artificial snow increases the amount of water in alpine ecosystems, which has a fertilizing effect on plant life.

- When plant life is fertilized, the species composition in the area of fertilization changes.

= Therefore, artificial snow changes the composition of species in alpine plant communities.

#2

- Increased numbers of sheep, reindeer, and mountain hares have been found in patches of ski slopes that have been treated with grass seeds to reduce soil erosion.

- Humans should not do anything to put animal populations out of balance.

= Therefore, humans should not treat ski slopes with grass seeds.

On the slopes of Scotland, ski resort managers are planting grass seeds in an attempt to reduce soil erosion, and therefore create stronger ski pistes. During the summer, however, this artificial increase of grass draws an increased amount of alpine wildlife to the now unnaturally green mountainsides. This disturbance in the animal kingdom is as outrageous as the banishment of Simba from Pride Rock. It is unnatural and unethical. The managers of ski resorts around the world should use less consequential means to strengthen the foundations of their ski slopes.