MF

Nov 7 - Sport and the Environment

Overview

  • Date: November 7, 2024

  • Course: Kine 2079

  • Instructor: Nicole Lee

Introduction

  • Impact of climate change on sport.

  • Environmental impact of sports.

  • Responses from sport managers and mega-event organizers.

Environmental Problems

  • Consequences of current generations' actions on future ones.

  • Environmental activities can adversely impact different global areas.

  • Intra-generational inequity in climate change effects.

Environmental Changes Impacting Sport

  • Rising water levels threaten sports facilities (predicted 13 major stadiums flooded by 2100).

  • Shortened ski seasons due to climate change.

Health Concerns for Athletes

  • Pollution in air and water affects athlete health.

  • Specific concerns noted for events in Guanabara Bay and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas during the Olympics (unsafe venues).

  • Reports highlighted detrimental conditions for athletes.

Air Pollution Mitigation Efforts

  • Emergency plans in China for air pollution (short-term effectiveness).

  • Notable athletes impacted: Haile Gebreselassie and Jarrod Shoemaker due to poor air quality during events.

Effects on Recreational Athletes

  • Non-elite athletes also affected by environmental changes (decreased snow levels).

Environmental Impacts of Mega-Events

  • Hosting major events (Olympics/Paralympics) creates significant environmental concerns.

  • Building facilities, long-distance traveling, and waste from spectators pose issues.

Controversies & Critiques

  • Environmental costs of publicly funded facilities often neglected post-Games.

  • Criticism of the Rio Games for poor planning leading to unused facilities.

  • Environmental degradation from infrastructure projects (e.g., Sea to Sky Highway).

  • Controversies over the destruction of ancient forests for skiing venues in Sochi.

Positive Progress in Environmental Management

  • 1994 regulations requiring environmental impact mitigation by committees.

  • Conversion of Olympic facilities to community use post-Games.

  • Construction of eco-friendly stadiums using recycled materials and minimizing carbon footprints.

  • IOC regulations for environmental promise evaluations, despite lack of penalties for failure.

Other Sport-Driven Environmental Impacts

  • Alteration of wetlands and habitats due to sports venue developments.

  • The negative impact of waste production in sports apparel and equipment.

Sustainability Framework in Sport

  • Sustainability as a strategy for economic, social, and environmental concerns.

  • Definition from Brundtland, 1987: meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

References

  • Scherer, J., & Wilson, B. (Eds.). (2020). Sport and Physical Culture in Canadian Society (2nd ed.). Pearson.