The Greenest Superbowl EVER

Alas, it's not much of a force in US global warming politics. But don't underestimate the power and reach of the NFL. Football is America -- its real love from sea to shining sea. This is the sport that practically owns the most American holiday of the year -- Thanksgiving Day -- with its celebrated doubleheader.

And now the League is awash in green. Superbowl 42, to take place on February 3, in Phoenix, Arizona, will be the most climate-friendly football game/spectacle ever, with over 90 million viewers expected to tune in.

It's a barometer of climate progress that's good to see.

NPR recently interviewed the director of the NFL's environmental program, Jack Roh, on the matter. Sounding well-versed in IPCC lexicon, he laid out the Superbowl's four-pronged strategy in three words: reduction and mitigation.

Take a look at the details:

1. Use renewable energy. The Superbowl will use wind, solar, geothermal, and landfill electricity to power both the stadium and the adjacent NFL theme park.
2. Invest in reforestation projects. To offset the over 500 tons of carbon it anticipates producing, the NFL will reforest over 85 acres in Arizona.
3. Measure recycling offsets.
4. Buy local to cut transportation emissions. The local host committee is required to make a list of women- and minority-owned businesses in the local area. Everyone involved in the Superbowl is required to buy their goods and services from that list.

Roh explains his motivation:

It’s not exactly the glamorous part of the Superbowl. But you know, it’s a good way to catch people’s attention, and then to talk about these initiatives and to get them to respond positively.

That's nice. Now this page out of the NFL playbook on climate is more advanced than anything being called out of the White House.

Hike. 

• ‹ previous
• up
• next ›