Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

For decades, Athletes have spoken out on and taken action on a myriad of causes, from civil rights to womens‚ rights to issues of war and peace and many more. But on climate? Not so much. Even athletes who are involved with environmental causes, have largely stayed on the sidelines when it comes to climate change. 

Having interviewed many athletes for GreenSportsBlog (launched in 2013), it was discovered that there are three main reasons athletes are reticent about leading on climate: It‚ too ‚ science-y‚ , it‚ too political and I‚ ll be branded a hypocrite on social media because of my huge carbon footprint.

EcoAthletes was launched on April 7, 2020, to recruit and deploy the Muhammad Alis, the Billie Jean Kings, the Megan Rapinoes, and the Colin Kaepernicks of the climate fight to become leaders for climate action.

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Best Estimate of GHG Avoidance/Reduction of This Project (Tonnes CO2 Equivalent/Year):

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Throughout history, athletes have used their platforms to catalyze global action, racial equity, gender equality, and more. Empowering those who have traditionally been underrepresented in the climate movement has been a hallmark of EcoAthletes during our 20 month existence. 

Women have prominent roles on our management team (Kristen Fulmer in particular has been crucial to our development), advisory board (more than 50 percent representation), and on our Champions roster (64% are women). 

EcoAthletes has emphasized the need for climate and environmental justice, with our Champions taking place in two panels and one podcast on the subject. In 2022, EcoAthletes is planning an outreach initiative targeted to Indigenous peoples.

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