17 Sport’s Post

And In Other News... There is no doubt the world is warming, and we know this is impacting the ability to play sports across the world. But what isn’t often considered is the social impact that cancelled and rescheduled events have. Indigenous communities are uniting in Alaska to compete in centuries-old sports and keep traditions alive during the "the Olympics of the North". Since the first Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife, Alaska, in 1970, the competition – which was nearly cancelled altogether after Covid – has allowed athletes to keep their northern traditions alive through extreme conditions, isolation and colonisation. But the traditions in Canada's Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik-Quebec and Alberta North; Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland); the Sápmi region encompassing the northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden; and the Yamal delegation of Russia (sitting out this year) are arguably at greater risk than ever before. Keeping the games is crucial to maintaining collective social identity and communicating traditional culture and values to future generations," said Robert C. Thomsen, associate professor of Arctic Studies at Aalborg University in Denmark, who's researching the social and environmental sustainability of the Arctic Winter Games. The Arctic has been warming four times faster than the rest of the planet and summers here could be sea-ice free by 2030. More temperate, rainier weather is threatening subsistence living and traditions of northern people. Western Alaska, for example, is facing the collapse of salmon fishing runs, according to the NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and Atmospheric Administration. Already, climate change has phased out northern outdoor sports like dog mushing, last played at the Arctic Winter Games in 2018; and impacted traditional sports like speed skating and skiing, forcing snowmaking for the first time ever at a ski resort in the most northern town in the world, Longyearbyen in Norway. To read more, please follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gv5BwRpk #SEA_theChange #noplanetnoplay #FriendsofSEA #oneplanetteam #NoPlanetNoPlay #PlanetMatters #NoPlanetB #Sport #SportandClimate #ClimageChange #ClimateChangeMitigation #ClimateEducation

It's been a while since I've written for The Conversation Australia + NZ; thanks to their editors for helping knock this into shape. Snow ❄️ (or lack thereof) is the topic; always nice to examine cryospheric matters from University of the Sunshine Coast! 🙂 #snow #climate #outdoorrecreation #glaciology #snowmechanics https://lnkd.in/ghNPxcxS

Brilliant write-up by one of my university professors, Adrian McCallum. Alpine communities are being hit hard by climate change, with ski hills receiving less snowfall each year due to the warmer temperatures. So why can’t we just make more artificial snow? Having worked as a snowmaker in Canada, I can attest to the difficulties of making artificial snow in warmer weather. Snowmaking guns work by spraying tiny liquid droplets into the air, which then freeze (crystallise) as they fall to the ground, creating a pile of snow. With our (slightly older) machines, we struggled to make snow in temperatures warmer than -3 to -5 degrees celcius, depending on the humidity. If the water droplets do not freeze before they reach the ground, you’ve just made ice. People tend to complain about that (I wonder why?). While it can snow in temperatures even above freezing, these water droplets have crystallised in much colder atmospheric temperatures. In comparison, artificial snow only has about 5 seconds in the warmer air temperatures to crystallise. Now let’s look at the structural differences between the two. Real snowflakes look exactly like the classic six-sided shape you might imagine. With colder temperatures, this means light, fluffy snow. On the other hand, artificial snow is essentially spherical in shape, resulting in a heavier, denser snow mass. This is great for forming a snow base, but not so great to ski on. Could artificial snowmaking still be the answer? To an extent, yes, it can help. However, snowmaking places a significant drain on energy and water resources. A lack of water was a huge problem for our team, as we only had access to a small water reservoir. The only solution was to build pumping infrastructure to draw from nearby water sources, but that would cost the resort millions of dollars. As a result, we had to curb operations when the reservoir ran low. Even if we didn’t have issues with water, the energy costs associated with running the snowmaking system are huge. This cost will only continue to increase as we become more and more reliant on snowmaking systems to save our winters. Is it worth it? Maybe not. #ClimateChange #Skiing #Snowmaking #ClimateCrisis #ArtificialSnow

If you saw the advisory about not swimming at Pasir Ris and Sembawang Park Beach last week and panicked a little bit, this explainer is for you. I remember trying to wrap my head around the news, and wondered if it was climate change or some random occurrence that caused bacteria to bloom in these waters and made it unfit for swimming. As someone who loved playing in the water, I couldn’t help but also worry if the water has been unsafe all along. Until I stumbled on a little IG story shared by a dear friend Debby Ng who’s also a real great wildlife disease ecologist who shared a little bit more with me about this bacteria - Enterococcus. A few days and a phone call later, this comic is born! Enjoy this latest Explainer by The Weird and Wild. Big thank you for sharing your wisdom and also care for bacteria, Debby. For showing me that nature gives and it takes, depending on how we attend to it. If you’re worried about the Enterococcus levels and still want to engage in water activities, check the Beach Short-term Water Quality Information on the NEA website or the myENV app before heading out. - https://lnkd.in/eykR7xfX Also don't miss Debby's work on how underwater grasslands keep fish and families healthy - https://lnkd.in/eRa8ahY2 A healthy planet = a healthy society. FYI - the beach is clear now. #ScienceCommunications #Bacteria #NatGeoExplorers National Geographic Explorer Asia National Geographic Society

Great way to tell a complex story.

Happy World Snow Day from Pas Grau International (PGI)!❄️ World Snow Day was created with the main goal to increase youth participation in snow sports, support and encourage involvement in sustainable mountain development, and to bring newcomers whilst offering extra value to those who already participate. This global initiative not only encourages us to revel in the beauty of snow sports but also highlights crucial objectives and responsibilities we hold in safeguarding our winters. Small, everyday choices can contribute to a more sustainable future. It's no secret that our planet is undergoing significant changes. The snow we cherish is a delicate indicator of climate health. On this day, let's reflect on the impact of climate change on snowfall patterns, melting glaciers, and the ecosystems that rely on snow for their existence. Let's make every day World Snow Day by embracing the beauty of winter while actively working towards a sustainable and snow-filled future! ⛷🌍 #WorldSnowDay #WSD2024 #skiing #mountaintourism #sustainabledevelopment

As we mark Earth Day today 🌍, it's crucial to reflect not just on our environmental responsibilities but also on how similar patterns of exploitation and commercialization affect other areas of our lives, including sports 🏅. The increasing professionalization and monetization of sports have raised concerns about whether the original spirit of fair play and passion is being overshadowed by commercial interests 💰. Much like the over-exploitation of Earth's resources in the name of progress, the essence of sports is at risk as it becomes more of a product than a pursuit of excellence and sportsmanship 🛡️. This transformation prompts us to consider the sustainability of our cultural practices. Are we sacrificing long-term integrity for short-term gains? The "don't worry, be happy" mantra 🎵, while soothing, may lead to complacency, urging us to overlook the broader implications of our current actions on future generations. On this Earth Day, let's extend our environmental consciousness to all spheres of life, advocating for a balance that respects both tradition and progress, ensuring that the true spirit of sports, and our planet, is preserved for those who come after us 🌱🌟.#EarthDay #SportsIntegrity #SustainableFuture #TrueSpirit 🌍🏅✨🌟🌿🌲

🌊 A sea of hope: find out what’s happening below the waterline. 🌏 It’s #worldoceanday, and Riley and Steve Hathaway are bringing the underwater world into view - with all its issues and opportunities. 📉 NZ has gone from hero to zero regarding marine protection. Once a leader, we’re now tied with Russia and China in the marine protection stakes. 🤿 If you’ve snorkelled at Leigh (Goat Island) or Poor Knights, you’ll know what potential we have for abundant marine life and healthy ecosystems. In contrast, the Hauraki Gulf reveals the general emptiness from decades of damaging fishing practices. 🎬 SeaLegacy teamed up with Riley and Steve to produce this short film. It covers what all Kiwis should know about their ocean. 🩵 As Live Ocean demonstrated in their ocean barrometer research, Kiwis love the ocean! But for many, these issues are hidden beneath the waterline. 🔎 This film takes you to that place - with all its potential and opportunities. On World Ocean Day, find out what’s going on and seek ways to support the oceans we all care about. 🙏 Were hugely grateful to our funders, TMNZ . Their work enables us to support crucial action in support of oceans carried out by Steve and Riley at Young Ocean Explorers, Revive Our Gulf Live Ocean WWF-New Zealand Sustainable Coastlines Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Starboard Maritime Intelligence 🙌 Ocean action is climate action. Ocean health is human health. 🪸🐟🏄♀️🦞💦🏊♀️ #30x30 #marineprotection #oceanconservation

🌊 Discover the Power of Regenerative Surf 🌊 In a world where climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity are pressing challenges, regeneration offers a powerful solution. A regenerative approach aims to restore ecosystems, communities, and economies to a healthier state than ever before. At WAVES International, we believe Acting Local & Surfing Global can be regenerative, connecting people to the ocean and each other while fostering environmental stewardship. Through initiatives like coastal erosion mitigation, youth marine conservation projects, and surf therapy, we strive to leave a positive impact on our coastlines and communities.🏄 Are you passionate about the ocean and eager to make a difference? 🌍 Whether you're a surfer, a volunteer, or a supporter, there's a role for everyone in the regenerative movement. Join us in exploring how surfing can be more than just a sport—it can be a tool for regeneration. Dive deeper into our latest blog to know more about it (link in the comment section) Picture by Forest Woodward

Green and Blue by '32 🍃💧 One of the many opportunities afforded by the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Brisbane, is to accelerate and scale up momentum and work to restore the diverse landscapes of South East Queensland (SEQ) and protect the environmental, social, cultural and economic values that attract and keep people here. Can we turn our catchments and cities green, and make our waterways blue by 2032? What could a Green and Blue by '32 future look like for SEQ? Why does it matter? What do we need to do to get there? And, how do we do it at the scale and speed necessary? We have just confirmed the first of many speakers for this one-day event on Thursday 19th October 2023, who help us answer the key questions this event seeks to address: 🍃 Reflections on the history of SEQ catchment restoration science and action and our pathway ahead: Professor Stuart Bunn, Australian Rivers Institute , Griffith University and Dr Paul Maxwell, EcoFutures Consulting and Alluvium Group 💧 What GBx32 means from a geomorphology and hydrology perspective: Dr Michael Cheetham, Water Technology Pty Ltd and Associate Professor Andrew Brooks, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University 🍃 What GBx32 means from a terrestrial ecology perspective: Professor Samantha Capon, Australian Rivers Institute , Griffith University and The Moreton Bay Foundation 💧 What GBx32 means from a community engagement perspective: Dr Angela Dean, School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland 🍃 What GBx32 means from an economic perspective: Associate Professor Jim Smart, Australian Rivers Institute , Griffith University 💧 More speakers will be announced very soon! For more Information and to register: https://lnkd.in/giERckUq Griffith University | International WaterCentre | Australian Rivers Institute  | RBMS (River Basin Management Society) | Stormwater Queensland | Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) | Stormwater Australia | Engineers Australia | The Moreton Bay Foundation | Department of Environment and Science | Council of Mayors (SEQ) | Healthy Land & Water | International Erosion Control Association (IECA) - Australasia | Green Infrastructure Research Labs (GIRLS) #GreenandBlueby32 #Olympics2032 #SDG6 #WaterManagement #LandManagement #Brisbane #SouthEastQueensland #SEQ Brian McIntosh | Piet Filet | Sarah Cochrane