KPE 255 Module 7: Climate Considerations

global warming

• long-term heating of the Earth’s climate system due to human activities

• primarily fossil fuel burning which increase heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the Earth’s atmosphere

Climate change

long-term change in the Earth’s global surface temperature caused by both human and natural activities

signs of climate change

• higher temperatures

• rising sea levels, warmer oceans, and increased ocean acidity

• an increase in droughts

• changing patters of rain and snow

• shrinking sea ice

• melting glaciers

Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann’s Spiral of Silence theory

The idea that people’s perception of the “opinion climate” influences their willingness to state their opinion

• The Fear of Isolation: The driving force of the theory. Noelle-Neumann argues that humans have a deep-seated fear of being socially ostracized or isolated.

• The Assessment: We constantly monitor our environment (media, social circles) to see if our opinion is the majority view or the minority view.

• The Action: * If we feel our opinion is popular, we speak out confidently.

  • If we feel our opinion is unpopular, we stay silent to avoid social rejection.

sport ecology

the study of sport, the natural environment, and the bidirectional relationship between the two

impact of climate change on sport

1. extreme heat

2. air quality

3. changes in seasons

4. changes in water levels

5. infrastructure damage

emerging jobs in sport due to climate change

• sports sustainability coordinator/manager

• sports data analyst (w/ a sustainability focus)

• environmental compliance specialist for sports venues

• athlete health and performance advisor

• green event planner

emerging jobs in health due to climate change

1. climate resilience health coordinator

2. environmental health officer

3. public health adaptation specialist

4. telemedicine and remote health specialist

5. research scientist in climate and health

two major ways climate change will affect work

1. impact of rising temperatures and weather-related events on business

2. organizations will need to step up to deal w/ climate change

greenwashing

misleading the public to believe that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it is

workplace strategies to combat climate change

1. measure and analyze GHG emmisions

2. encourage sustainable commuting

3. reduce wastage in the workplace

4. invest in greener equipment and infrastructures

5. reduce your value-chain emissions

6. plan for climate change impacts