Hello Valérie! Could you introduce yourself and explain what led you to create Résilience Montagne?
Valérie Paumier: My name is Valérie Paumier, and I'm 54 years old. I founded Résilience Montagne after a classic career in business, during which I worked to develop resorts from a tourism and financial point of view. One day, I became aware of the climate and ecological crisis, and realized that I was part of the problem. I decided to change jobs to focus solely on these issues, particularly in the mountains.
What is the aim of Résilience Montagne?
Valérie Paumier: Résilience Montagne is an association whose aim is to popularize and inform people about the impact of global warming on mountains and valleys. We try to explain the causes and consequences, and propose solutions by bringing together the various players concerned by these issues.
Can you explain the current situation in the mountains and why it's crucial to change our model?
Valérie Paumier: The figures from the IPCC and climatologists show an alarming decline in snow cover. Glaciers are melting, threatening our drinking water, as they are Europe's water towers. Water cycles are being disrupted, affecting ecosystems and biodiversity. For example, in Haute-Savoie, despite its green and blue appearance, we have been on drought alert for several months in recent years. This proves that our current model is no longer viable.
"We need to learn to appreciate the mountains differently, with a focus on the contemplation of nature".
What solutions do you propose to counter this situation?
Valérie Paumier: We need to stop building new tourist beds in the mountains, as this increases greenhouse gas emissions. We should use existing infrastructures and stop investing in projects that don't take current climate realities into account. We also need to develop more sustainable tourism, less dependent on downhill skiing and more focused on environmentally-friendly activities.
How can we change attitudes and policies in favor of a more sustainable model?
Valérie Paumier: We need to rethink the mountains as a place to live all year round, not just for seasonal tourism. It's crucial to repopulate mountain villages year-round to recreate a stable economic dynamic. Politicians need to embrace sobriety and stop seeing the mountains solely as a source of profit.
What happened in La Clusaz, and how did the locals get involved?
Valérie Paumier: In La Clusaz, there was a recent project to build a fifth high-altitude slope to increase the resort's artificial snow coverage. It was to be built in a highly protected wood, home to protected species, and use a village drinking water source to fill the reservoir. So the residents formed the Sauvons-Borgare collective to prevent the project and proposed alternative solutions. The Grenoble administrative court ruled in their favor. It's the first time a project of this scale has been overturned by a residents' association, and it's inspired other mountain collectives. The growing number of associations contacting me shows that the mountains are mobilizing and that people can no longer bear to see their territory destroyed for the sake of a declining industry.
"Ski schools can become nature schools".
Are you optimistic about the future of the mountains?
Valérie Paumier: Yes, I'm optimistic. More and more people understand the problem and are getting involved. Political and economic leaderships are increasingly criticized, and associations are no longer alone. I hope that these movements will be able to influence political decisions in the future.
How can we continue to enjoy the mountains without damaging them, given that leisure activities are good for both mental and physical health?
Valérie Paumier: We need to learn to appreciate the mountains in a different way, with an emphasis on the contemplation of nature, which is free and beneficial. Public authorities need to develop transport systems to avoid overcrowding.
Ski schools can become nature schools, offering botany, nature and crafts. Understanding nature means respecting it.
To make this viable, we need to get politically involved. Joining associations, organizing people's assemblies and conferences with experts are essential. At the next municipal elections, members of associations could run for office to bring about concrete change.
"It's never too late to do the right thing. I hope the younger generation will learn to respect nature.
What about the professionals? How should they manage mountain activity? Should they limit, reduce or stop certain activities?
Valérie Paumier: When we talk about the profitability of the mountains, the ski lobbies point to the 55 million ski passes sold each year, which represent a major financial windfall. But replacing these 55 million ski passes with as many passes for activities like snowshoeing isn't necessarily realistic. The ski industry generates around 9 billion euros. Finding a replacement business model that generates that much money seems unrealistic, and could create an equally devastating year-round business. Let's face it, we're going to face an inevitable loss of sales. Rather than continuing to invest in snow-dependent infrastructures, it would be better to anticipate this reality and cease heavy investment in downhill skiing. Giving up is difficult, but necessary.
How can we change mentalities and policies towards a more sustainable model?
Valérie Paumier: Mountains need to be rethought as year-round living spaces, not just seasonal sports and leisure venues. Seasonality disappears with the lack of snow, so it's crucial to repopulate mountain villages with permanent inhabitants to create a stable economy. Paradoxically, the more tourist beds are built, the fewer permanent residents there are, as locals can no longer find accommodation on their own land. We need to stop this hemorrhaging and focus on creating dynamic year-round villages, accessible to those who wish to live there. This means putting sobriety at the heart of the mountain economic system and ceasing to target only high-end international clientele, who continue to contribute to carbon pollution. We need to find sustainable solutions for the medium term, rather than living from one winter to the next in a short-term logic.
And finally, what is your personal connection with the mountains today?
Valérie Paumier: Today, I prefer to walk in the mountains in all seasons. I can't afford to pay for a ski pass any more, because I find it hard to support the system. I prefer contemplative walks on footpaths or snowshoes, appreciating my surroundings.
My interests have changed. At 54, I say to myself that if I were 10-15 years younger, I'd study geography, geomorphology or hydrology again to see the mountains differently. We've become so used to consuming everything we see, without thinking... But it's never too late to do the right thing. I hope that the younger generations, influenced by more ethical people, will learn to respect nature.
