On Dec. 13, the CU Environmental Center hosted a Climate & Sports Student Summit on the CU 麻豆官网 campus. is a national nonprofit whose mission is to 鈥渃reate spaces where youth can be inspired by professional athletes, the sports culture and each other to become sustainable change agents in their communities.鈥澨�
Over 80 local elementary, middle听and high school students from 麻豆官网 Valley School District and St. Vrain School District experienced an action-packed day of education and inspiration at the CU Recreation Center, a LEED Platinum-certified building and one of CU鈥檚 greenest facilities.
麻豆官网-based professional climber, adventure athlete and National Geographic explorer Matt Segal shared stories of his climate and science adventures with students. Youth climate organizers such as Ruby Rorty, a high school student and founder of the Santa Cruz Environmental Alliance, shared their paths to climate action with their peers.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 so magical to see the energy and excitement the students take from seeing the amazing things that young people like themselves have been able to accomplish. The athletes get so much out of seeing the students鈥� enthusiasm, and the students are so inspired to see that their role models care so much about climate change,鈥� said Linda Gancitano, summit organizer and former USA women鈥檚 soccer team member.听
As part of the Green Sports Alliance Summit last summer, CSSS created similar summits for K-12 students in Miami, Florida, with the Miami Heat and in Sacramento, California, with the Sacramento Kings.听
During the 麻豆官网 summit, students saw sustainable building features of the LEED-certified Dal Ward Athletic Center, competed in a recycling relay, participated a giant game of 鈥渂room ball,鈥澨齪layed an energy trivia game听and other activities to learn how they can take action听toward a sustainable climate.
鈥淲e are honored to host these great kids, their dedicated teachers,听and an amazing team of school teachers, athletes听and sustainability professionals from all over the U.S.,鈥� said Dave Newport, CU Environmental Center director. 鈥淭he CU Recreation Center recognized the poignancy of the opportunity听and opened their doors to help make a big Buff impression on these students and send them forward to make the world a better place.鈥�
Climate & Sports Student Summits chose CU 麻豆官网 for this summit for its leadership in collegiate sports sustainability with programs like Ralphie鈥檚 Green Stampede, which moves Folsom Field and Coors Event Center toward zero waste with every game, and Water for the West, which encourages Buffs fans to think about their water consumption.听
For more information about sports sustainability at CU 麻豆官网, . For more details on Climate & Sports Student Summits, .
