In the midst of new studies and warnings on the potential dangers of global warming, the consequences of climate change is already a reality being closely felt in the winter sports industry. Rising temperatures threaten the very livelihood of ski resorts around the world, causing an increase in snowmaking operations and, in some cases, causing some resorts to close down for a portion of the winter because there is no snow. Fortunately, for many leaders in the ski industry, preserving the environment and the natural surroundings of ski resorts is not only a top priority; it is essential to the lifespan of the business. From wind-powered chair lifts to green building policies, more and more resorts are beginning to implement eco-friendly initiatives. Here are 10 of the greenest ski resorts in the world and a look at their efforts to curb global warming:

Aspen, Colorado

Industry pioneer
When it comes to going green on the slopes, Aspen has been the industry's pioneer. Aspen Skiing Company, which runs the high-class resort, was the first in the ski and snowboard industry to announce a policy to protect the climate. Their eco-conscious efforts are not just aimed at the slopes but at the resort's tourism industry as well. Some of its most significant environmental initiatives include using biodiesel fuel in its snow-grooming machines, and making snow that is seeded with a speck of dust to lessen the amount of water and energy consumed during the process. The resort was also a first in the U.S. ski industry to offset 100 percent of its electricity use with renewable energy from wind farms. Now, 45 other ski resorts have followed their lead. In other areas, the resort's coke machines operate by motion sensors to reduce the constant compression cycles and two of the resorts newest buildings are heated and cooled by water from a nearby pond. Additionally, Aspen encourages activism through its own green website and employees have contributed $1 million to date for local environmental causes.

Kaprun, Austria

ISO-certified lift company
The survival of the Alps and its inhabitants is largely dependant on developing sustainable practices for winter tourism, and the eco-friendly practices of Austria's Kaprun resort are no exception. The resort is home to the first ISO-Certified lift company in Austria, which operates the Kitzsteinhorn lift at Kaprun and was recognized for its high standards of quality and safety. The lift is connected via a long pipe to the local sewage system, which helps prevent pollution on the mountain. The company also uses renewable energy to operate all its cableway systems. The resort also cuts down on automobile pollution by offering a free bus service from the resort area to the ski lifts. Additionally, Austria is part of the "Alpine Convention," an agreement signed by eight countries -- Germany, France, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Slovenia -- in 1991 that states the mutual interest of these parties in helping prevent damage to the Alpine environment.