Free online convention on climate justice, sport development

With the ever-increasing focus on how climate change is affecting all aspects of society, those working in sport are similarly focused on how to cope and adapt with these changes. Most focus has been on elite sport, with discussions on how those in elite sport can reduce their climate footprint and how leagues/tournaments can adapt to the changing climate.

However, of equal importance is community sport and sport for development.

If we consider the broad remit of community sport, the issues of unplayable playing surfaces, be it due to flooding or drought, are becoming more prominent. When thinking about opportunities for physical activity, it is generally those most underserved communities who are most affected, with often limited access to outdoor spaces.

So if we want to ensure opportunities to play community sport/be physically active and also reduce societal inequality, then a focus on climate justice is sorely needed. 

This convention will feature four expert speakers:

• Mark Doidge from Loughborough University, who will discuss his latest research on football and climate change.
• David Gent from Active Humber will give an update on the national UK picture of what the community sport development industry is doing and also on the intersection of climate justice with other forms of social justice.
• Nav Sira and Anna Heslop from The Change Foundation, who will discuss a project on climate education and advise how other organisations can embed climate education in their programmes.

There will also be plenty of time for Q&As.

Visit www.uksdn.org to know more about UKSDN, or to register for our mailing list, please email: [email protected]

Image supplied by: Claire Jenkin (University of Hertfordshire)