sports

Umbra on kayak materials

Dear Umbra, I’m planning on kayaking the Inside Passage next summer and am having a hard time deciding what kind of boat to get. Are there any environmental reasons to choose a kayak material? Mostly I’m torn between plastic, which is cheaper and more durable, vs. fiberglass, which is lighter and faster, or Kevlar, which […]

Lousiana spends half a mil beautifying private golf course

According to a report in today's Times-Picayune, the state of Louisiana has pledged half a million dollars to replace trees on a private golf course damaged by Hurricane Katrina last year.

The expenditure was buried in the budget state legislators passed last spring, and is listed as a "forestry program for the planting of trees and other native plants." This comes after the state spent $13 million to subsidize the construction of the Tournament Players Club in the first place.

U.K. club builds sustainable football stadium

I was at the pub the other day watching Man U with my husband (whom I realize I talk about entirely too much -- but, in my defense, not as much as caniscandida talks about Little White Dog. But she does sound delightful.). Anyway ... Andrew was lamenting his mediocre showing in his fantasy soccer league, which he blames on his integrity for avoiding the hated Arsenal and Chelsea players altogether.

I suggested that his integrity would be more intact if he only employed players who were environmentally conscious. He deftly sidestepped the issue by suggesting that I write a blog post about said environmentally conscious English Premier League players.

Not a bad idea, in and of itself, but I've run into a minor problem: My internet search has turned up nary an eco-friendly Premier League player. If I've missed someone, do feel free to point out my error.

While I'm waiting for all you hooligans to chime in with how Becks makes Posh buy organic bustiers, or how Brian McBride constantly sends letters across the Pond to urge his homeland to support Kyoto, check this out.

Umbra on greener golfing

Dear Umbra, I am getting an early start on my Christmas shopping this year, and always try to find sustainable gifts whenever possible. My father is an avid golfer. I have been pleased to see that the golf community’s efforts to be more ecologically sensitive have been making news lately. I would like to treat […]

Umbra on running and pollutants

Dear Umbra, I am a runner, and in the summertime it is difficult for me to run during the day because of the heat. Unfortunately, it’s a no-no for me to run in green spaces late at night because they are dark, deserted, and thus quite unsafe. So this leaves me the option of running […]

A rundown of global sports organizations.

So, maybe you don't like soccer or biking. Maybe you're just saying, "Hey! Enough with the specifics! Give me something broad to sink my teeth into!"

Well, friend, you're in luck. Today we'll be overviewing the variety of committees, confederations, groups, and forums that focus on environment and sport. Because really, who knew there were so many?

The United Nations deemed 2005 the International Year of Sport and Physical Education, so I'm a year late on this blog post, but bear with me. We'll start off with the United Nations Environment Programme's Sport and Environment section, which pretty much says it all:

Sport is intimately connected to nature. A healthy environment is necessary for healthy sport. For many athletes, it is this intimacy with nature that motivates and inspires them.

Sports facilities, events, activities and the manufacture of sporting goods have an impact on the environment. Energy consumption, air pollution, emissions of greehouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, waste disposal, wastes use and impacts on biological diversity are all issues for the sporting world to address.

Go team!

Lance is out, green is in

Yes, I am aware that Lance Armstrong is no longer riding in the Tour de France. Yes, I am aware that he is, in fact, retired. (And yes, I am aware and inconsolable that he and Sheryl Crow broke up.) But celebrity appeal draws readers. And if you’re reading this, then it worked! Yes! Today’s […]

What if the world cared about sustainability as much as soccer?

Over the last few weeks, much of the world has clustered around TVs, watching World Cup rivals fight for the right to hoist what may be the ugliest trophy in sport. Inevitable arguments have broken out over who ought to win, and who invented “the beautiful game.” As we head toward the final match this […]

Hood Games: Stop clearcutting the youth

Over at Treehugger TV, there is a new video about Comet Skateboards (a green 'board manufacturing company) and their community event, Hood Games:

In addition to raising funds and for a sustainably designed skate park in downtown Oakland CA, Comet has collaborated with others to put on Hood Games. Hood Games 4 took place in Oakland, and brought together a truly remarkable gathering of the skateboarders, parents, and friends for a full day of music, art, and of course -- ecofriendly skateboarding!

For more information about Comet Skateboards, check out this InterActivist and this Current TV video. And of course, their website.