Join us for GSD from October 1 to 6!
Join us for GSD from October 1 to 6!
October 6th
#greenSportsDay
#JOURNÉESPORTSVERTS
The vision of GREEN SPORTS DAY is to create a sustainable future for sports through education, collaboration, and innovation.
We encourage everyone to participate in this important conversation to spark action through the power of sport!
SAVE THE DATE! FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO OCtober 6th 2024
GREEn SPORTS Day
wEEK-LONG Festivities
Join us for the highly anticipated Green Sports Day Summit, which will feature a week of inspiring online events where sports and sustainability come together. We're excited to have you tune in as we take the next big step towards a greener, more sustainable future for sports!
The Schedule for Green Sports Day
Wednesday October 2nd
Education Session COC and Head to Head
Teachers join a team of Canadian Olympians for a free, interactive lesson on sport and sustainability, designed for grades K-8. This session will explore the environmental impacts of sports and inspire students to take action. Hear directly from Paris 2024 Olympians about their experiences with climate change and why it is essential to make a difference. Register your class today and tune in via Zoom on the day of the lesson!
Wednesday October 2nd
An Introduction to Greening the Sport Sector in Canada for National Sport and Multi-Sport Organizations
We invite all NSO and MSO personnel to a lunch and learn on combining sport and sustainability for a greener future. Hosted by Oluseyi Smith, Olympian and founder of Racing to Zero, this event will address the greening of the sport sector in Canada, and what organizations can do for the environment. Case studies will illustrate the initiatives of some sports organizations that are already integrating sustainability into their actions.
Thursday October 3rd
Webinar with Réseau Éco-Sportif
This webinar, led by founder of Réseau Éco-Sportif, Guillaume Proulx Goulet, will focus on promoting sustainability in Quebec's sports sector. It will cover eco-responsibility in sports, the event certification process, and will feature testimonials from certified organizations.
Friday October 4th
Green Sports Day Summit
The 2024 Green Sports Day Summit will feature a series of engaging panels with coalition members and esteemed guests. These will cover sustainable sponsorship in the Canadian sports context, insights from Paris 2024 on climate challenges, and the introduction of a Film Festival showcasing documentaries on sustainability in sport.
Wednesday October 2nd
Breakfast Forum In Toronto hosted by the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada
The Breakfast Forum, hosted by the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada in Toronto, will present a discussion led by industry experts on the intersection of sustainability and sponsorship. The panel will explore how environmental sustainability influences sponsorship decisions and strategies, and vice versa. They will provide insights into integrating eco-friendly practices to enhance both business performance and environmental impact.
Tuesday October 1st
Webinar with EcoAthletes
This session, presented by Lew Blaustein of EcoAthletes, will discuss the evolution of the Green Sports industry, highlighting past progress, current challenges, and future needs from an athlete's perspective. It will feature advocacy successes and interviews with sustainability champions, including Leanna Carriere-Wellwood.
Building on Past Years’ Success
Last year's successful summit provided practical and actionable insights for sports organizations, athletes, and fans to start their journey toward a sustainable future.
the Green sports film Showcase
Click the links below to watch these wonderful short films (FREE) to celebrate Green Sports Day this year.
Ice Hockey in the Himalayas (India) - 28min
Fire Lines (USA) - 44min
Sam & Me (Canada) - 30min
Paddle Tribal Waters (USA) - 9min
Dulce (Colombia) - 10min
Running Up for Air (USA) - 17min
Up the Green (USA)
Mount Gariwang: An Olympic Casualty (Canada) - 25min
The Fisherman's Son (Chile) - 30min
Get ready to be inspired, informed, and invigorated. Green Sports Day Virtual Summit is just around the corner – let's make it a day to remember!
Green Sports Day
Venue Light Up:
Unite Across Canada!
Get ready to make a luminous statement for sports and sustainability! Across Canada, we're igniting sustainable conversations by illuminating sporting venues in vibrant green hues. This is your chance to be part of a nationwide movement that highlights the intersection of sports and sustainability.
Your participation is crucial to the success of this impactful initiative.
Spread the word among sports clubs, organizations, and communities. Encourage everyone to take part by illuminating their venues in green. Together, we can create a stunning visual representation of our commitment to a sustainable future.
To Participate, simply drop us an email at greensportsverts@gmail.com.
Let us know the venue you're lighting up and any exciting details you'd like to share. Be a part of this nationwide transformation – it's time to shine a light on sustainability!
Green Sports Day
Co-Taught Lesson for schools
Thanks to our partners at Head-to-Head and Cobblestone Collective, Green Sports Day will be coming to classrooms across the country on October 2nd for a FREE lesson on sustainability and sports! Sign Up NOW!
OUR ATHLETES
“I spent 17 years competing internationally, flying around the world, contributing more than my fair share of carbon emissions and waste. Looking back I see ways I could have done it differently, more sustainably. Like in all the good sports stories, I see all of us mounting an inspirational climate comeback. I'm excited to be part of it.”
— Oluseyi Smith, Founder of Racing to Zero and 2x Olympian in Bobsleigh
“As a beach volleyball player, I was really starting to feel the effects of global warming and climate change. The thing that really helped me handle my climate anxiety, was learning and taking climate action; and owning the fact that I’m not perfect in this journey but I’m trying. It made me feel more impactful and not alone. We as athletes & the sporting community are directly impacted and we have influence when it comes to using our voices for climate action. It’s our responsibility to do our part & mitigate some of the effects. Let's lift each other up in this fight together. We are powerful united.”
— Melissa Humana-Parede, Olympian in Beach Volleyball
“Seeing the landscapes changing in front of my eyes over 10+ years of traveling and skiing some of the most beautiful mountains and glaciers around the world, I've realized our playgrounds are changing radically and WE need to be at the forefront of the protection efforts. We need to unite in this conversation around sustainability and climate action.”
— Phillippe Marquis, Coach in Moguls, 2x Olympian in Freestyle Ski
“I've seen and experienced firsthand the power of sport. When we channel sport for good; incredible, world changes can happen. Coming together with the sporting community and taking action will help save our planet.”
— Martha McCabe, Founder of Head-to-Head, Canada Games Alumni, 2x Olympian in Swimming
“Kayaking has taken me all over the world and allowed me to develop awareness of the environmental issues we face today. Paddling on beautiful bodies of waters or in other instances, very polluted ones, has motivated me to get involved and be part of the solution.”
— Emilie Fournel, Project Manager Athlete Marketing & Olympic Legacy, Canada Games Alumni and 3x Olympian in Canoe/Kayak
“Competing at major tournaments all around the world has opened my eyes to the amount of waste generated and emissions created from hosting these events. I have also seen what can be done to reduce this, which has inspired me to help make all sports more sustainable and be a part of the fight against climate change.”
— Oliver Scholfield, Executive Director of Racing to Zero, Olympian in Men’s Field Hockey
Re-Sport Map of Canada
Every year, Canada sends thousands of tonnes of used sports equipment and old sports clothing to the landfill. Meanwhile, Canada has a rich collection of second-hand sports stores, repair shops, gear swaps, and other community resources that allow you to extend the life of your gear, or pick up new (gently used) gear at affordable prices.
Save more than money.
Save the planet.
Use the Re-Sport Map as your guide.
The Re-Sport Map of Canada maps the places that sell used sporting goods, offer trade-ins, recycle old gear, and drive sustainable sport (re)consumption in Canada.
ABOUT US
In the Fall of 2020, an Open Letter addressed to Minister Steven Guilbeault and Parliamentary Secretary Adan van Koeverden was signed by more than 125 sportspeople from across the country, asking them to recognize the potential of sport as a force for good, and to normalize green sports in this country by helping us to get recognition for a national Green Sports Day.
Since then, a committee of dedicated sports professionals, academics, and athletes has convened to bring the annual Green Sports Day Canada campaign to life. The 2024 committee includes (in alphabetical order):
Colin Campbell, Associate Director of Partnerships, Climate Positive Energy, University of Toronto
Emilie Fournel, Project Manager Athlete Marketing and Olympic Legacy, Canadian Olympic Committee, 3x Olympian in Canoe/Kayak
Melissa Humana-Paredes, Olympian in Beach Volleyball
Philippe Marquis, Coach at Freestyle Canada, 2x Olympian in Freestyle Ski
Martha McCabe, Founder of Head-to-Head, 2x Olympian in Swimming
Dr. Maddy Orr, Founder of The Sport Ecology Group, Assistant Professor at University of Toronto
Gillian Orris, Senior Advisor, Sustainability and Impact, Canada Games Council
Oliver Scholfield, Operations Lead, Racing to Zero, Olympian in Men’s Field Hockey
Oluseyi Smith, Founder of Racing to Zero, 2x Olympian in Athletics and Bobsleigh
David Thibodeau, Senior Program Advisor at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canada Games Council Board Member, Founder, Sports for Social Impact
Catherine Villiard Gravel, Director, Sport Business and Sustainability, Canadian Olympic Committee
A CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION
The Green Sports Alliance has been the driving force behind the Green Sports Day Initiative, which was first launched in 2016 and officially recognized by President Obama for its commitment to sustainability in sports. Since then, the initiative has expanded significantly.
The Green Sports Alliance is continuing to advance the Green Sports Day movement globally. We are proud to partner with the Green Sports Alliance to celebrate Green Sports Day to amplify the message for championing environmental responsibility and working towards a greener, more sustainable future for sports.
OUR GOALS
1
accelerate a conversation
To accelerate a conversation on sustainable sport and climate action.
2
educate the Canadian sports community
To educate the Canadian sports community on best-practices for sustainable sport.
3
celebrate the work
To celebrate the work being done to ‘green’ the sports sector in Canada.
