Climate action work is seen in Seattle through the implementation of green energy and smart usage of rain for the stadiums. Waste management inside the stadiums is also what leads the way in Seattle’s sustainable practices. Another way sustainability is seen is through representation. This representation is through equality in opportunities given to people of color and non males.
Based on some preliminary research, we found that Climate Pledge Arena is paving the way for what it means to be a green team. One of the biggest accomplishments they hold is their ILFI Zero Carbon Certification. This certification acknowledges the arena’s significant reduction in carbon footprint and its commitment to offsetting remaining emissions through high-impact offset programs. Some of these programs include eliminating planned natural gas use, installing solar panels, and purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to ensure that 100% of its energy comes from renewable sources.
There are four conditions of just sustainabilities: Improving people’s quality of life and well being, meeting the needs of both present and future generations, justice and equity in terms of recognition, process, procedure, and outcome, & living within ecosystem limits. The first condition can be seen through the possible NBA expansion team that’ll probably come to Seattle. The second condition is seen in the sustainable practices that Climate Pledge Arena has implemented. The third condition is applicable to the representation seen across the major sports leagues in Seattle. The final condition is applied to how stadiums are fighting against waste coming from fan use.
There were two key challenge we wanted to point out. One relating to food, by questioning what else these stadiums can do to help with food waste. The other challenge we saw came in representation, and that it needs to improve.
For further information, check out these sources:
climatepledgearena.com/sustainability/#:~:text=LEED%20Scorecard-
Julian Agyeman. 2013. Chapter 1. Chapter 1. – Alternative Formats Introducing Just Sustainabilities: Policy, Planning, and Practice. Zed Books https://tinyurl.com/yc4amezt
WATCH: Equity Seminar with Julian Agyeman (discussion of Just Sustainabilities)