Sport, Climate Change Enviro Justice 2

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• Title: Sport, Climate Change & Environmental Justice [Part 2] Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Kinesiology© Hayhurst, 2025

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• Agenda:

  • Quick Recap: Environmental Justice Framework

  • Transition: From Theory to Material Realities in Sport

  • Planned Obsolescence in the Bicycle Industry

  • The Circular Economy Explained (Video & Discussion)

  • Sport and the Environment: Broader Perspectives

  • Ecological Modernism vs. Structural Change

  • Group Discussion & Q&A

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• Recap: Environmental Justice Key Concepts:

  • Climate Change & Environmental Justice

  • Three EJ Dimensions (Chen & Kellison, 2022):

    • Distributive Justice: Who bears the burdens?

    • Procedural Justice: Who has a voice?

    • Recognition Justice: Whose knowledge is valued?

  • Sport’s Dual Role: Contributor to and catalyst for environmental change.

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• Bridging Theory to Material Reality:

  • The importance of studying production and consumption in sport.

  • Uncovering "hidden" environmental costs.

  • Linking abstract EJ ideas to everyday products (Chen & Kellison, 2023).

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• Planned Obsolescence in Sport (Szto & Wilson, 2022):

  • Definition: Designing products for a short lifespan (Maycroft, 2009).

  • Drives frequent replacement and disposal, leading to excess waste and environmental harm.

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• Case Study: The Bicycle Industry (Szto & Wilson, 2022):

  • Cycling is sustainable as an activity, but faces product lifecycle issues.

  • Key Issues Identified:

    • Excess waste from production and disposal.

    • Non-standard, incompatible components.

    • "Crash replacement" policies encouraging discarding.

    • The sustainability paradox.

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• The Circular Economy: Key Principles:

  • Shift from "take-make-waste" to "reuse-repair-recycle".

  • Focus on product longevity and adaptability.

  • Extended Producer Responsibility:

    • Manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle (McDonough & Braungart, 2002; World Economic Forum, 2017).

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• Circular Economy in Practice:

  • Examples in sport include:

    • Repair and refurbishment programs.

    • Sustainable bike-sharing systems.

    • Incentives for returns for recycling.

  • Benefits: Reduced waste and lower resource consumption.

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• Implications for Policy & Practice:

  • Mandate sustainable design regulations.

  • Extend producer responsibility.

  • Engage consumers and communities in lifecycle decisions.

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• Sport and the Environment: A Broader Perspective:

  • Sport as a tool for development and sustainability.

  • UN Initiatives:

    • Promoting sport for peace and development (2005, 2018).

  • NGOs' actions:

    • Mathare Youth Sports Association.

    • Surfers Environmental Alliance.

  • The paradox of pro-environment messaging vs. negative impacts (Darnell & Millington, 2023).

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• Beyond the Paradox: Toward Sustainable Sport:

  • Reconciling sport’s positive messaging with material realities.

  • Innovative initiatives to reduce environmental footprints.

  • Emphasizing community engagement and policy reform.

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• Ecological Modernism vs. Structural Change:

  • Ecological Modernism:

    • Focuses on technological fixes and clean technologies.

    • Minimal regulation approach (Wilson & Millington, 2020).

  • Critique: Economic interests may override social/environmental needs leading to superficial fixes.

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• Beyond Technological Fixes: Toward Structural Change:

  • Rethinking production models and policies.

  • Integrating sustainability with social responsibility.

  • Addressing systemic inequities in production practices (Chen & Kellison, 2023).

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• Sport, Production, and Social Impact:

  • Production practices reflect broader social inequities.

  • Unsustainable lifecycles carry hidden social costs.

  • Importance of integrating sustainable production with social responsibility (Chen & Kellison, 2023; Szto & Wilson, 2022).

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• Future Directions: Sport and the Environment:

  • Exploring new designs and repair methods for sport products.

  • Assessing practical policy implementations for lifecycle responsibility.

  • Engaging local communities in decision-making processes.

  • Creative approaches to balancing fun in sport with environmental responsibility.

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• Accountability for Sustainable Products:

  • Importance of holding companies accountable for the product lifecycle to enhance sustainability and fairness for communities.

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• Key Takeaways:

  • EJ Framework (distributive, procedural, recognition) guides analysis.

  • Planned obsolescence in bicycle industry exemplifies unsustainable production (Szto & Wilson, 2022).

  • The circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility offer promising alternatives.

  • Limits of ecological modernism necessitate structural change (Wilson & Millington, 2020).

  • A holistic approach is essential for linking environmental and social outcomes (Chen & Kellison, 2023).