As the NHL and NBA playoffs heat up and MLB gets into full swing and the NFL completed their annual draft, it is very clear that sports sustainability is gaining momentum. The Green Sports Alliance grew nearly 700% in the first year, partnering with the NRDC; who has developed a Greening Advisor. for sporting venues that outlines steps to take to become greener. The Greening Advisor focuses on key areas where a real difference can be made.
Even NASCAR is getting into the mix as evidenced by their recent release of a white paper outlining sustainability initiatives before the Earth Day race in Kansas.
The business case for sustainability is a critical component of acceptance by any organization. Major league and minor league facilities are eager to save money and to show the world that they are environmentally friendly. It not only makes good business sense but also is a long term marketing strategy to build the brand image.
Minor league franchises face several challenges in striving to become greener. Minor league franchises are heavily supported by sponsorship and advertising. Due to this, efforts need to be made to actively engage stakeholders in assisting with programs such as recycling or energy audits. Minor league franchises depend on volunteers for much of the game day work to be completed. Programs to motivate and incentivize volunteers to “do the right thing” need to be developed.
Yesterday Philip Humber threw a perfect game here in Seattle.
In baseball; a perfect game is when a pitcher does not allow a single baserunner the entire game via a hit, a walk, or an error. Imagine if a perfect stadium could be developed that would not allow any error and would totally regenerate all input of the game as an output.
Stadiums around the world are working on sustainability. View theZeros Waste at Ohio Stadium or the Wembley Stadium Sustainability guide and it is obvious that the major sports venues have taken note. Does this same effort exist for minor league venues? From a purely business perspective, the business case for sustainability should be more critical for minor league venues than major league franchises who have substantial resources.
Minor league venues form the backbone of sports across the world. Whether it is baseball or hockey in the US or soccer/football in Europe or Asia; minor league arenas have more attendance and higher visibility. Many of the venues are located in smaller cities where sustainability may not be a focus. Considering this fact, it would be very beneficial to the club and also to the surrounding community to raise awareness.
I believe that minor league venues need assistance not only from the business case to become more efficient/more profitable but also from the perspective to spread the word regarding recycling/energy productivity/transportation efficiency, etc.
Sports are a more than a game for me. They evoke many emotional responses based on the outcome of a particular contest. There is something about the unpredictability of a live sporting event that captivates me and many billions of others around the world. Combine this with my passion for environmental and social change and you have my right livelihood.
Minor league sports venues and arenas across the nation work on limited resources compared to the major league franchises. I intend to work to change this and to aid minor league venues to improve there green initiatives. Over the next several months I will examine and review ways in which to make this a reality.
I will look at how the convergence of new technologies interacts with buildings, transportation, and energy to become more efficient. Working with minor league sports franchises is also a potential approach to reaching hundreds of millions of people with a new message. Utilizing this medium to encourage recycling programs, more efficient use of energy, viable social programs, etc. will be appraised.
Simple Living for a Balanced Life
