In its second year, Tourism Whistler is launching its 2024 Whistler Changemakers video series to continue spotlighting Whistler businesses that are leading the way in environmental stewardship and putting sustainability at the forefront of their operations.
The first of this year’s series focuses on local vintage clothing business, F as in Frank, in which owner Amy Rafferty explains the damage the fast fashion industry is doing to the planet and to our perception of worth. “We’re literally drowning in fast fashion waste and then we pass this burden on to countries who don’t have the infrastructure to deal with it,” says Amy, Co-Owner of F as in Frank.
“Wearing what already exists drastically reduces the environmental impact, so helping people shop second hand and helping people buy better quality that will last and can be used over and over again is future vintage versus future garbage.”
Hosted by local pro skier, a member-at-large of Protect Our Winters Canada, and passionate environmentalist, Mike Douglas, the 2024 Whistler Changemakers video series explores a variety of sustainability topics, from textile waste reduction, to social sustainability and cultural revitalization, to the importance of cultivating relationships between farmers and restaurants, to committing to a zero-operating footprint.
“Tourism is essential to Whistler’s economic, cultural and social well-being, but we recognize the importance of working on tangible sustainable and regenerative solutions alongside local businesses and Resort Partners to ensure tourism serves as a force for good – now and in the future,” says Barrett Fisher, President & CEO of Tourism Whistler.
Lead by the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), Whistler’s Big Moves Strategy outlines the destination’s plan to address climate change. It targets a 50 percent reduction of 2007 emission levels by 2030, en route to the resort’s long-term goal of net-zero emissions.
To achieve this target, Whistler is working collectively with residents, businesses and visitors to prioritize active and public transportation options, decrease visitor travel emissions, decarbonize passenger and commercial vehicles, enforce green building standards, and reduce overall carbon consumption. Over the year, Tourism Whistler will continue to share the stories of local businesses and organizations, including the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, Whistler Blackcomb, and Alta Bistro, who are all doing their part to protect the environment, preserve local culture, and sustainably contribute to the Whistler community.
This content creation is part of the organization’s larger focus on advancing responsible, sustainable, regenerative tourism.
“The Marketing team at Tourism Whistler is passionate about protecting where we play, so this project is important to us on many levels,” says Dee Raffo, Content Editor at Tourism Whistler. “We are thrilled to continue telling the stories of local businesses who are putting sustainability first, and we look forward to sharing these stories with our visitors.”
The Whistler Changemaker video series has been recognized by Green Step, Destination BC and Destination Canada as a ‘best in class’ example of Destination Stewardship.