8th WORLD CONFERENCE ON SPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Report
Premier Campbell said that one of the best ways to face the global warming challenge is to
diversify building materials. He suggested that wood is the best building material available
because it stores carbon for a long time. It also has an insulating power 400 times better than
steel and is also less expensive to produce.
Discussion:
The moderator Ms Crooks reminded us of the economic crisis, and asked: How do we keep
people committed to act on climate change during this crisis?
Premier Campbell: We must deal with climate change in dealing with the economy. As we
develop more energy choices, the rest of the world will adapt them. We cannot ask the other
nations to do the heavy lifting while we — in the developed world — have created a great deal
of damage.
HSH Prince Albert: It will be driven by technology and science. Some people will have to make
the fi rst investments and will need to have the courage and the will to take the initial steps.
Once the initial investments are made, where the technologies exist, the more you invest, the
more progress will be made.
Ms Crooks asked: How do you see the role of athletes in slowing climate change?
HSH Prince Albert: Athletes have an important role to play, as role models and as participants.
Olympians have an important role to play on a variety of issues, especially on environmental
issues, since they will be listened to by the younger generation.
Ms Crooks asked Premier Campbell: BC has an active climate change programme. What are the
most satisfying and challenging aspects of the programme?
Premier Campbell: Athletes tend to be younger, and young people are in favour. He found the
engagement with young people one of the most satisfying aspect of the programme. They
had to show young people how they will benefi t from the programme. They had to start with
themselves and be examples.
Ms Crooks asked: How can we bring the seriousness of the need for action on climate change to
sport: the organisations, the participants, the athletes, the spectators?
HSH Prince Albert: This conference is a good place, where all stakeholders can meet and
discuss issues and solutions with one another.
Premier Campbell: The sponsors are already here, with GE looking at more effi cient
technologies. RONA is looking at how to reuse materials. One of the key tools is to tell stories
of success, rather than only hearing stories of challenges.
Ms Crooks asked HSH Prince Albert: What are some of the actions that give you optimism?
HSH Prince Albert: The Billion Tree Planting Campaign, educational programmes, Monaco’s
Environment Day. His trip to Antarctica inspired him, but also worried him too because there
are some issues that are potentially catastrophic if we don’t do something urgently.
Ms Crooks asked Premier Campbell: What is his vision for the future?
Premier Campbell: He is optimistic because he sees a quickening of understanding. There
is an understanding around the world that we have to act. The challenge is to fi nd those
things that put that desire into action. He believes that in his country and the world, BC and
Vancouver will be leaders on the issue; behind this leadership is to commit to a decision to
act and pursue that goal relentlessly. We will be surprised how much we can do by taking
action.
8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment
International Cooperation and Development Department
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