In response to the impact of global warming on the sports world, such as the cancellation of ski competitions in various places due to lack of snow, ski Nordic combined skier Akito Watanabe has started a new initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. I decided to start.


Experts say, ``Efforts by athletes to raise awareness on their own may help solve the problem of climate change.''

Global warming has a big impact on the sports world

Last year's Tokyo Olympics was forced to change the competition venues and times due to the heat wave. is exerting



Watabe, the Japanese ace of the Ski Nordic Combined, has decided to start a new initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as it will affect the survival of the competition if the lack of snow continues.



Specifically, Watanabe, who spends one-third of the year abroad for matches and training camps and travels a lot by plane, is encouraged to use public transportation as much as possible and be creative with what he wears. We will reduce our own carbon dioxide emissions and engage in awareness-raising activities.



In addition to recruiting companies that will work together as "eco partners" to cooperate in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we will use the advertising fees obtained from eco partners to protect forests.



Katsuya Otsu, an associate professor at Tokai University who is familiar with sports and environmental issues, said, "It is possible that athletes who have a global influence can help solve the problem of climate change if they act as a role model and work to raise awareness. There is."

Watanabe: “I hope it will be an opportunity for many people to take action.”

Akito Watanabe commented on starting a new initiative to combat global warming, "Through skiing, I have witnessed the reality of global warming. We skiers cannot ski without snow. If this continues, we will not be able to ski in the future. This is something that often crosses my mind as I watch the disappearance of snow and glaciers," he said with a sense of urgency.



On top of that, "If you continue to compete, your carbon dioxide emissions are higher than average due to traveling on expeditions, etc., and you are conflicted about continuing to compete while placing a greater burden on the global environment than others. My actions may be nothing more than small actions, but I would be happy if even one person could act as an opportunity for many people to take action."

Efforts to address environmental issues Addressing issues in the sports world

The sports world's efforts to address environmental issues have begun with various competitions.



Ventforet Kofu of soccer J2 estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by club activities and calls on spectators to use public transportation.



In addition, in the world's highest triathlon held in Yokohama every year, the World Series calculates how much carbon dioxide will be emitted if the participants take trains or planes from their homes to the venue. Efforts are being made to collect yen as environmental cooperation funds and use it for the cultivation of wakame seaweed, which is said to be effective in absorbing carbon dioxide.



On the other hand, athletes who are active in the world are being watched with stern eyes.



Last month, the manager and players of France's first division Paris Saint-Germain made a downplay about the issue of climate change when they were asked about the use of planes for short-distance travel.



On the other hand, criticism was raised on SNS, and the ripples spread, such as criticizing the ministers of the French government.



As global warming progresses, such as the extreme heat of midsummer and the lack of snow in winter, situations are beginning to occur where athletes cannot compete in the same way as before.



How to deal with the unavoidable problem of global warming is an issue not only for athletes but also for the sports world as a whole.