Liberals' new playbook takes aim at greenhouse gas in minor sports
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The Liberal government wants to keep score when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions in minor sports across Canada.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Cabinet issued a directive saying it wants to make sports organizations climate-friendly.
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“Work with the sports sector to find solutions to reduce its environmental footprint as well as better involve our athletes in the conversation on the fight against climate change,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in the mandate letter to Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough. “Achieve results for Canadians by delivering.”
The directive also suggested athletes become spokespeople for climate change.
Some were quick to call offside on the latest Liberal focus.
“Liberals should keep politics OUT OF OUR CHILDRENS SPORTS. Enough of this garbage!” one commenter said on Instagram in reaction to the idea.
“How about let the kids play hockey, make new friends and enjoy themselves! Stop telling our kids what to do!” another said.
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No minor sports association in Canada has quantified its carbon footprint, according to the Blacklock’s report. The National Hockey League in a 2014 Sustainability Report said in a typical season professional hockey in Canada and the United States produced the equivalent of 400 tonnes of emissions per game. The figure included jet fuel for road games and electricity to light arenas.
The Environmental Science And Technology periodical in 2021 examined emissions from the NHL, MLB, NBA and NFL. Pro sports clubs combined to log 7.5 million kms a year, according to the the essay, ‘COVID-19 Disruption Demonstrates Win-Win Climate Solutions For Major League Sports.’
Researchers estimated pro athletes in Canada and the U.S. took some 5,600 flights per year by private jets and charter aircraft.
“Emissions from these flights totaled 121,841 tonnes of carbon dioxide,” said Environmental Science.
The Ministerial Mandate letter didn’t explain which athletes should act as climate-change spokespeople.
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