In the heart of America’s mountain towns — where alpine trails meet bluebird skies — communities are facing the growing challenges of climate change. These towns, often nestled in remote, high-altitude regions, are particularly vulnerable to environmental shifts and have become increasingly susceptible to droughts, wildfires, avalanches and ecological degradation.

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are investing in the future of the communities we serve by partnering with Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030), a nonprofit that empowers a movement of mountain communities committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Earlier this year, we became a major sponsor of the annual MT2030 Climate Summit to launch the MT2030 Elevate Scholarship, a program designed to remove financial barriers for community leaders eager to participate in the three-day event. Four scholarship recipients from California and Washington were selected to attend the October gathering, hosted in Breckenridge, Colo., and flown on Alaska Airlines. The group joined hundreds of industry professionals and stakeholders in conversations around complex climate challenges and solutions.

Following the MT2030 Climate Summit, we caught up with scholarship recipient Michelle to hear her reflections on the experience and what it meant to her.

• What do you do for your work? What challenges does your community face that you were looking for insight on at the MT2030 Climate Summit?
  I do government relations and environmental affairs for Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain. Like many other communities, wildfire is a major threat to our area, and I was interested in seeing what others were doing and how, as a ski area, we could contribute to our community.
• What was the most eye-opening moment or takeaway from the Summit?
  It was great to see such a large group of like-minded individuals sharing their experiences and common goals. I participated in a Solutions Lab session, which was a presentation followed by an interactive exchange to explore actionable strategies and insights. I really enjoyed the TED talk-style presentations. The Summit gave me some ideas on ways to further develop and grow our mountains’ sustainability program.
• What role do you think travelers play in shaping the future of climate-resilient communities?
  I think travelers play a big role in the future of climate-resilient communities. Their sustainable demands and preferences can drive the investment of our communities and resorts. An example would be electric vehicles — the increase in visitors driving EVs requires the installation of more charging stations. Travelers can also create new challenges in our communities by over-utilizing resources or not traveling responsibly. Being mindful of your impact while exploring is critical.
• What’s something you learned at the summit that mountain adventure travelers should be aware of and that you’re excited to bring home?
  That communities are stronger when businesses and local governments work together toward common sustainability goals. The partnership can create innovative ideas and a more climate-resilient plan for the future.