Untz untz 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 in the mountains and valleys. We try to explain the causes and consequences, and to 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 an emphasis on contemplating 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 a more sustainable form of tourism, less dependent on downhill skiing and more focused on environmentally-friendly activities.
How can we change mindsets and policies towards a more sustainable model?
Valérie Paumier: We need to rethink the mountains as a space to be experienced 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 local residents mobilize?
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 drinking water source from the village to fill the reservoir. In response, the residents formed the Sauvons-Borgare collective to prevent the project and proposed alternatives. The Grenoble administrative court ruled in their favor. This is the first time that a project of this scale has been overturned by a residents' association, and it has inspired other mountain collectives. The growing number of associations contacting me shows that mountains are mobilizing and that people can no longer bear to see their territory destroyed for 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 degrading them, given that leisure activities have beneficial effects on mental and physical health?
Valérie Paumier: We need to learn to appreciate the mountains differently, with an emphasis on contemplation of nature, which is free and beneficial. Public authorities need to develop transport to avoid over-visiting.
Ski schools can become nature schools, offering botanical, nature and craft discovery. Understanding nature encourages respect for 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, association members could run for office to bring about concrete change.
" It's never too late to do the right thing. I hope that the younger generations will learn to respect nature"
What about the professionals? How should they manage mountain activity? Should certain activities be limited, reduced or stopped?
Valérie Paumier: When we talk about the profitability of the mountains, the ski lobbies point to the 55 million ski passes sold every year, which represents a significant financial windfall. But replacing these 55 million ski passes with as many passes for activities such as snowshoeing is not 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 activity. Let's face it, we're facing a loss of sales inevitable. 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 mindsets and policies towards a more sustainable model?
Valérie Paumier: Mountains need to be rethought as living spaces all year round, and no longer just as 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 that are built, the fewer permanent residents there are, as locals can no longer find housing on their own territory. We need to stop this hemorrhage and focus on creating dynamic year-round villages that are 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 solutions that are sustainable in the medium term, rather than living from one winter to the next with a short-term rationale.
And finally, what is your personal connection with the mountains today?
Valérie Paumier: Today, I prefer to walk in the mountains in any season. I can't afford to pay for a ski pass any more, as I find it hard to support the system. I prefer contemplative strolls on hiking trails or snowshoes, enjoying my surroundings.
My interests have changed. At 54, I tell 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.
