Everyone has a responsibility to help the environment. Athletes and organizers of sporting events are no exception, but they also have a particular stake in ecological health. Damage to the environment can negatively affect the areas where sporting events take place and hurt athletes' health to the point that they are no longer able to compete. For example, poor air quality can gradually damage the lungs, resulting in respiratory illness. Global warming due to carbon emissions can cause heat-related illnesses to which athletes may be particularly vulnerable due to the way they exert themselves by playing sports.

Fortunately, if you are an athlete or an organizer of sporting events, there are things you can do to help the environment while doing what you love. Here are some specific suggestions for athletes and organizers alike.

How To Be Eco-Friendly as an Athlete

Be aware of what you are putting into your body and where it comes from to be sure that it is as eco-friendly as possible. For example, of course you always check Le-Vel Thrive reviews to confirm that any supplements you use are healthy and compliant. You may also think that you are protecting yourself from pollution by drinking bottled water, but by doing so, you may actually be doing more harm than good.

Producing plastic bottles is a waste of resources. Ironically, more water goes into the production of each bottle than ultimately fills it up for you to drink. Approximately 80% of all water bottles go into landfills rather than being recycled. There is also some evidence to suggest that chemicals from the plastic may leach into the water. Tap water gets a bad rap, but when it comes from a municipal source, it has to meet rigorous safety standards. It even has some additives that are good for you. For example, fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. It is therefore better to drink tap water from a reusable bottle than to keep buying individual disposable bottles.

What you eat, what you wear, and the equipment that you use can all receive a green upgrade. Experts have identified eating a plant-based diet as an important way to slow down climate change. While conventional wisdom holds that athletes must have animal protein to build muscle, there are a number of elite athletes who have adopted a vegan lifestyle and report that they succeed not in spite of it but because of it. Active wear and sports equipment can come from sustainable sources, such as bamboo snowboards and organic cotton workout gear.

How To Be Eco-Friendly as a Sporting Events Organizer

There are two areas of particular ecological concern at a sporting event: Water management and carbon management. To know where you need to improve the most, you can calculate your estimated water use and carbon footprint prior to the event. There are online environmental consultants who can help you make the calculation.

As you organize your event, be aware of what will happen to any waste water produced. Make sure that it does not end up back in local waterways, which can be contaminated as a result. If hosting an outdoor event requiring portable toilets, contract with vendors who use chemicals that are environmentally responsible. Use hydrants or local faucets for sources of bulk water.

Fulfill at least some of the event's energy needs using renewable sources, such as wind or solar power, rather than gas-powered generators. Encourage spectators to use green transportation to the venue by offering a bike valet and VIP parking for carpoolers. Use shuttles to transport athletes or spectators to the venue as necessary, using electric or hybrid vehicles whenever possible.

Involvement in sports provides high visibility. Therefore, one of the most important things you can do as an athlete or an organizer is to spread the word about sustainability.