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In recent years, sport scholars have started to pay more attention to environmental sustainability in sport.
Photo from Unsplash
April 12, 2023
by Ye Lei
In recent years, sport scholars have started to pay more attention to environmental sustainability in sport. In addition to recognizing sport organizations can be sustainable in their business operations, there has been an awareness of the importance that underlies the association between sport and the environment. While sporting events provide entertainment and promote social cohesion, they may also have potential negative impacts on the environment.
In a recent study, Dr. Chris McLeod and his colleagues studied the impact of National Football League (NFL) games on air pollution. Pollution data from the EPA's data warehouse were collected from 2014 to 2018 to investigate if NFL game attendance had an influence on air quality. They analyzed six major forms of air pollution: Ozone (O3), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and Particulate Matter 10 (PM10).
The results showed that Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide levels increased as more fans attended NFL games. In addition, the average NFL event resulted in an approximately two-percent increase in O3 and NO2 levels, which are most likely related to vehicle emissions.
To reduce the environmental impact of these events and promote sustainability in sports, the authors recommended that governments and sports organizations should encourage low-emission modes of transportation, such as public transit and carpooling, to attract fans to the games.
This research makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge on the environmental impact of sporting events. It also highlights the need for more sustainable practices in the sport industry, which can benefit both the environment and individuals.
“As the results from this research find an increase in ozone, which is likely related to the use of motor vehicles to travel to games, the solution for decreasing pollution and enhancing the sustainability of sporting events is likely through providing environmentally friendly ways for fans to travel to stadiums.”
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Read the full article here:
Watanabe N, Yan G, McLeod C. The Impact of Sporting Events on Air Pollution: An Empirical Examination of National Football League Games. Sustainability. 2023; 15(6):5568. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065568
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