ENVS 2002

Sustainability in Athletics

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

As our world faces growing environmental issues such as climate change, air pollution, and ecosystem degradation, society must diligently prioritize sustainable practices in all aspects of life. Athletes and sporting organizations are uniquely positioned to create a meaningful impact in working towards a more sustainable world. Engaging in weekly discussions with key guest speakers, this course will examine the causes and consequences of environmental issues at all levels of athletics, explore sustainability initiatives, and encourage students to critically consider their own advocacy strategies. “Sustainability in Athletics” welcomes all athletes, sports fans, and environmental activists seeking an academic dialogue that fosters a positive drive for a more sustainable future.

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Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe the environmental footprint of the athletics industry on a collegiate, national, and global level.
• Students will be able to take the descriptions of the athletic environmental footprint and assess how everyday actions of athletes impact our climate and the environment.
• Students will be able to source scholarly readings in athletics and society and analyze the content to better strengthen their collaborative and analytical skills.
• Students will gain practical experience hosting a guest speaker and leading peer discussion to discover how an athletic community may collectively work towards a more sustainable future.
• By the end of the course, students will be able to critically assess approaches to the environmental impacts in athletics by comparing those approaches to a (comparable) non-athletic situation.
• Students will demonstrate a strong recognition of community initiatives regarding athletics and sustainability in the greater Ithaca area through the class volunteer day.

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