Athletes Tackling Environmental Issues
by Patrick on March 29, 2012 · 0 comments
· Environment
People involved in environmental conservation and the sustainability fields all come with various motives. Some are interested in the preservation and conservation of fragile natural environments, while others see it as an opportunity to get involved in a new business venture that is more than just profits. There are also those who get involved because their livelihood depends on our environment. Professional athletes in the outdoor sports have taken tremendous initiative over the past few years to start tackling these issues by using their influence to spread a message that those young and old need to hear.
The America’s Cup, the oldest active trophy in international sports, has taken tremendous strides to ensure that sustainability is a major part of their competition and are trying to be a model for other events. Along with a sustainability sponsor, Sailors for the Sea, the America’s Cup has also launched a Healthy Oceans Project. “The current reality is the majority of people don’t recognize the value that the ocean provides, nor do they recognize that the ocean is in trouble and needs their help,” said Neill Duffy, Director of Sustainability, ACEA.
Action sports, especially skiing and snowboarding, have seen a deep commitment from companies and athletes to make these issues known to others, especially the younger generations that look up to them. JP Auclair, famous for being part of the team to develop the first twin-tip ski and his viral street segment from this year’s movie All.I.Can from Sherpas Cinema, founded Alpine Initiatives, which engages the snow sports community in sustainable initiatives that connect people and planet.
The Surfrider Foundation and Protect Our Winters (POW) have just teamed up to run a campaign called “Protect Where You Play,” aiming to bring the water sports and mountain sports worlds together and offering a membership to both organizations in one package. These organizations are pushing hard for more strict policy initiatives from Congress and relying upon grassroots support to make it happen.
While these organizations all involve using the natural environment as their playing field, will we see a stronger push from the major professional sport leagues towards sustainability? The Philadelphia Eagles recently announced a sustainable energy partnership with NRG to make Lincoln Financial Field run on clean energy. In order to accomplish this goal, NRG will install 11,000 solar panels and 14 micro-wind turbines to power the facility.
Those with influence must continue to lead by example, and exhibit the need to lessen our footprint and show greater reverence for our natural world.
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