Global warming is placing our planet and future generations at risk. Meeting the scale of the challenge requires action by all sectors to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Around the world, governments, cities, and businesses are taking bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

By employing solutions to global warming, individuals will be improving and contributing to public health, promoting social justice, preserving natural resources, creating reliable sources of energy, and contributing to society and the economy, as a whole.

In her statement, Ms. Aderonke Ogunleye Bello, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, said sports, both at the elite and grassroots levels, have a significant part…

The Green Ball webinar was hosted by FAME Foundation under its Green Ball Project to contribute to the worldwide conversation on sports and climate change.

The virtual webinar was a convergence of experts in the fields of sports, climate change, research, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions concerning sports and climate change, particularly using sports as a tool for climate awareness and action, following the Sports for Climate Change Framework at the COP24 conference, and to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accords.

The webinar took place on July 29, 2022, with the session starting at 11:00 GMT+1.

Notable speakers at the webinar were Olumide Idowu (Co-founder, International Climate Change Development Initiative), Abel B.S Gaiya (Deputy Research Manager, Cleanology Technology Hub, Nigeria), Richard Matey (Coordinator, Youth Climate Council Ghana), Se-sor Batur (Legal Practitioner), Ijeoma Okigbo(Founder, Girls Aspire Sports Initiative) and Joan Bishio (Ecobarter, Communications and Content Manager).

Speaking during her opening remarks, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, said sports, one of the best forms of social interaction in modern society, promotes unity and set an example for others while also fostering personal development.

” Sports may help promote the advancement and set an example because they are one of our society’s most effective means of bringing people together. As a means of increasing knowledge, modifying behavior, and reducing carbon emissions, sport can be a significant contributor to tackling climate crisis”, she said.

During the discussion, Richard Matey shared the ongoing impacts of climate change, what organizations and individuals are doing towards tackling the ongoing climate crisis, and the need for African youths to be actively in climate action.

Ms. Ijeoma also shared the impacts of the sports industry on climate change and how the industry can be at the forefront of tackling global warming and climate crisis.

During the panel session, Abel Gaiya gave insightful and intelligent contributions on Nigeria and Africa can utilize the renewable forms of energy at our disposal. Abel emphasized the benefits the economy and climate have to gain from individuals using renewable energy sources, especially it reduced impacts on climate change.

Ms. Joan Bishio shared the insufficiency of educational content, both online and offline, to inform Nigerians about the ongoing climate crisis and suggested approaches that could encourage Nigerians to contribute to climate awareness and action.

Se-sor Batur mentioned that there are existing policies addressing climate change, although the implementation of those policies is extremely poor. He emphazied the role of the government in championing climate actions by setting clear cut goals and roadmaps for achivement while organizations and individuals synergize with them/those goals for realistic results.

The Green ball webinar was a huge success, with speakers sharing insights from their wealth of experience and knowledge.

Click to watch insights from the dialogue