Why teaching Sport Ecology is fundamental

Acknowledging the lack of education on Sport Ecology for industry professionals and the necessity of addressing the climate crisis, this paper makes the case for why educational progam in sport management need to include sport ecology as part of their curriculum. It introduces a special issue emphasizing the need to prepare future sport management professionals to address climate change. Sport both impacts and is influenced by the environment, making it crucial for sport managers to understand sustainability.

To bridge this gap, this special issue presents six case studies:

• Pelcher, Trendafilova, and Ziakas: Developing an environmental strategy to reduce negative impacts at golf tournaments.

• Grafnetterova: Examining ethical concerns related to environmental impact in a small-town trail running event.

• Orr and Ross: Assessing climate risks and adaptation strategies for major sporting events like the Women’s World Cup.

• Murfree and Police: Exploring corporate social responsibility and environmental initiatives in sports manufacturing.

• Solomon and Stokowski: Understanding climate risks for winter sports and sustainability strategies.

• Triantafyllidis and Kaplandiou: Encouraging athletes to adopt sustainable travel practices in mountain running

  
  

These case studies provide valuable tools for educators to integrate sport ecology into sport management curricula, fostering awareness and practical decision-making skills. The goal is to equip future sport managers with the knowledge to drive sustainability in the industry and develop innovative solutions to climate challenges.

CITE: Ross, W. J. (2022). On the necessity of teaching sport ecology. Case Studies in Sport Management, 11 (S1), SE1-SE2. doi: 10.1123/cssm.2022-0012

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