Tunza The UNEP Magazine for Youth - For Young People, by Young People, About Young People

In what ways does sport damage the environment? Hanna Klein, Germany
Sport is not a major polluter, compared to industry, for example. But, like any human activity, it has effects on the environment. These include: deforestation for ski slopes and other sports venues; pollution from motor sports; changes to landscape and nature through constructing stadiums and sports grounds; excessive water consumption to keep grass green at golf courses and other sports venues; waste produced by spectators; and pollution by travel to and from sport events. Some sports, like swimming or ice hockey, require much energy for heating or refrigeration. And huge amounts of paper are used for advertisements and media coverage.

How can we use sports events to educate other young people on environmental issues? Juan I. Chong Ortiz, Peru
Sport has a vast following and can therefore serve as an important vehicle to promote environmental awareness. Globally and regionally, sport can be used to reach millions of people with targeted environmental messages. Locally, a sports event is sure to attract many young people, providing opportunities for spreading environmental messages to participants and spectators. Such events can be used to encourage people to cut pollution and to get them involved in campaigns linked to the sports event. Using local and international sports personalities can also be an effective way of sharing environmental messages with the public.

I gained my appreciation of the environment by visiting natural areas, but know that my presence caused them harm. I had to drive there, causing pollution and a need for roads, and my activities had negative effects hiking over exposed roots, climbing on rock that had bolts left in it, etc. I would not now be working toward conservation of the natural world without those experiences, but is that worth the cumulative damage I've caused? Deia Schlosberg, United States
Hiking and rock-climbing have helped you to gain a true appreciation for nature and your environment. As long as you behave in an environmentally sensitive way, you should not feel guilty about such damage as you have caused. Nor should you give yourself a hard time about using roads that have already been constructed. However, you could try to use alternative methods of transport - such as public transport, a bicycle or car pooling.

I know the most sustainable method of transportation is bicycling. What can I do to convince my local government to make cycle lanes and cycle racks more widespread? Bushra Razack, South Africa
Don't be afraid to approach elected officials. Use all the resources available to you to draft a proposition. Explain how you, your family and community are affected by the lack of cycle lanes and racks and their long-term benefits. Remember that it is in the local government's interest to reduce traffic congestion. Your proposal may present it with a solution.

How can sporting events be used to raise money for and draw attention to environmental initiatives? Nidhi Shree, India
You will certainly gain the attention of the participants and fans if you send out environmental messages or information on environmental initiatives during the events. And it will be easier to get sponsorship for an environmental activity if you integrate sport into it.

Do you have questions on environment and development issues that you would like the experts at UNEP to answer? Please send them to cpiinfo@unep.org, and we will try and answer them in future issues.

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