Who’s doing it?

An increasing number of elite athletes are getting involved with climate action.

What are they doing

Using their collective voices and platforms, athlete-related initiatives are popping up across the globe. 

In August 2021, ex-Australian rugby union player David Pocock led the ‘Cool Down’. 

Over 450 athletes from 40 sports called for bold climate action to protect the future of all Australians and sport itself.

Pocock was also a signatory to Alena Olsen’s and Jamie Farndale’s letter to World Rugby, on behalf of over 200 fellow professional rugby union players. 

This urged rugby’s governing body to help safeguard “a better world for our communities, our sport and future generations.”

Ahead of the geopolitical ‘stadium’ of COP26, key British Olympic athletes, Hannah Mills and Melissa Wilson, united over 50 high-profile athletes to produce the groundbreaking ‘Athletes of the World’ video. 

For the first time ever, sport called upon the planet’s leaders to deliver meaningful climate action.

Why is it important?

In most parts of the world, sports competitions are being affected and athletes taken ill because of extreme weather (witness Tokyo 2020 – the hottest Olympics on record).

As some competing countries, especially from less developed regions, are also experiencing the most brutal impacts of climate change, athletes are well placed to speak out about the environment. 

The attention that athletes secure from media and fans means their messages now assume unprecedented significance. 

Especially, at a time when every action and amplification are crucial for our common goal.

Want to know more?

If you’re a current or ex-athlete and want to join this growing movement, you can sign up at www.athletesoftheworld.org.

For more about sustainability and sport, you can also get in touch with us at info@impact3zero.com.