Our Snowpack has a Methane Problem
The Well Done Foundation measuring leaking methane from an orphan well in New Mexico. The rainbow messages a promise that emitters can be plugged and methane stopped at its source.
The mountains we depend on are changing fast. Shorter seasons, less snowpack, more smoke. But there's a climate threat most of us in the ski industry haven't heard of: 3.5 million orphaned oil and gas wells leaking methane across the U.S., with no one responsible for shutting them down.
Here's why that matters right now: methane is the primary driver of near-term warming. It's 80 times more potent than CO₂ in its first 20 years, and scientists say cutting methane is the single fastest lever we have to slow the warming that's already shrinking our seasons. Every leaking well that gets sealed delivers immediate climate results, not in decades, now.
The Well Done Foundation is fixing this, locating and plugging these abandoned wells. 127 plugged so far. Over 5 million metric tons of CO₂e eliminated. Permanent results, happening right now, in 26 states.
I'm reaching out because we need the ski community's help, and the timing matters. WDF is part of Earth Gives 2026 (Sept 14 – Oct 6), a national campaign spotlighting environmental nonprofits.
Here's what makes this harder: only 2% of all charitable giving in the U.S. goes to environmental causes. Two percent, for the defining challenge of our time. That's exactly why Earth Gives exists, a nationwide campaign dedicated to spotlighting environmental, conservation, and climate nonprofits so more people can find and fund the organizations doing the work. We are proud to be a part of this effort.
I set up a page to support the Well Done Foundation’s efforts:
Wells get plugged. Methane stops. Land gets restored. No offsets, no empty promises, just results.
Together, we can make a difference.
One well at a time.
