Climate Week NYC
September 22, 2021
On September 22nd, Kunal moderated a panel during Climate Week NYC, titled: Playing for Climate Justice: How the Sports Industry can Catalyze Positive Change!
Climate injustice, the intersection of the climate crisis and economic inequality, is becoming increasingly visible as we see beloved yet grossly under-resourced and ignored communities struggle with unequal access to social, economic, health, and environmental protection. The inverse, climate justice, will not result from one singular solution. Rather, it will come from a multitude of approaches and investments that will equitably improve the conditions of millions.
Sports has a unique power to bring diverse groups of people together to overcome differences, even in these hyper-polarized times. This panel discussed how the sports industry can use its influence to integrate climate justice into our communities. Panelists shared strategies that will help sports teams, leagues, individual athletes, and brand sponsors break down the barriers that typically prevent diverse communities from engaging and collaborating on climate justice.
Read a brief synopsis below, or listen to the entire panel in the video above:
- Garry Gilliam, a former NFL player, shared his for-purpose real estate development company, The Bridge Eco-Village
- Mari Horita, the VP of Community Engagement & Social Impact shared details on the Seattle Kraken's work in their community
- Dr. Jess Murfree, a visiting Assistant Professor at Texas A&M, shared more about her work in bringing Environmental Justice into the classroom, described in this GreenSportsBlog piece (also featuring event Moderator, Kunal!)
- Kunal Merchant moderator of the panel, shared thoughts about how sports can lead in climate justice - Here's more about his work
- Lew Blaustein, Founder of EcoAthletes, shared more about the organization' mission to inspire athletes to lead Climate Action