The environment is important to me both as an athlete and a human being. Last year while competing in Europe I don't recall a single time racing on REAL snow. We were racing on man-made snow often times in t-shirts. I couldn't help but think "there must be something wrong...". Even though I don't currently suffer from asthma I am very conscious of the air quality. Recently, I was living in Prince George (notorious for air pollution) and I can remember having to check the air quality notification before going out to train. If the air quality wasn't good for the day, you could either count on coughing for your entire training session or having it canceled! It's a lose lose situation. Being exposed to such pollution on a daily basis obviously has it's toll on athletic performance as well! It's time to turn it around.