New student group partners with Eco-Athletes to push for greener sports on campus.
Aniela Cabrera | Staff Writer
The Sustainable Sports Club (SSC) started this semester and is open to any student, not just athletes. In partnership with Eco-Athelets, a nonprofit organization that trains athletes to use their platforms to speak out on climate change, they aim to bring awareness about sustainable sports practices. They’re currently “in talks” with various FIU sports teams and players to have student-athlete-advocates use their platform to help spread the mission.
Imara Bella Thorpe, an international master’s student and former FIU swimmer, said, “We want to raise awareness for athletes, the departments at FIU, [the] students, and anybody who’s watching and involved in sports [or] in the events”.
She added, “What makes us different is that we have an interdisciplinary approach, and we’re looking at not just sports, but the environment and human health, because if the environment isn’t healthy, then we can’t be healthy playing.”
FIU’s athletes and students already feel the pressures of climate firsthand. Dealing with the intense heat and sudden downpours is a typical daily occurrence for our sub-tropical humid climate. But scientific evidence shows that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate and has driven up the intensity and frequency of Florida’s weather.
Even though FIU has an office of sustainability, it currently operates within the Parking and Transportation Division, reflecting the university’s operational approach to issues like transit and energy. While this placement allows for practical progress, some students see an opportunity for sustainability to take on a broader, campus-wide role. This is why student-run organizations like Green Campus Initiative and the new SSC are actively stepping up to the plate.
Professional athletes currently have some of the world’s largest fan bases and can spread messages to millions. The SSC hopes to do the same on campus through FIU athletes and spread their message across the FIU community and here in South Florida.
Currently, environmental and climate change activists in Florida have faced a challenging year after Ron DeSantis signed a bill erasing “climate change” from FL law. Many activists saw the move as a symbolic minimization of Florida’s commitment to urgent issues.
Looking ahead, the club hopes to see FIU athletic events and facilities incorporate practices such as reducing single-use plastic and spotlighting athletes who advocate for climate action. Thorpe emphasized that their goal isn’t just awareness; they want to create visible change for students on campus.
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