NAME: Ricardo Miguel Antunes da Cunha Rodrigues de Sousa
ROLE: SYnergia PORTUGAL President | CIEAV (Interpretative Center and Environmental Education of Verim) Coordinator
SPECIALISATION: Degree in Sports Management
Introduction and Experience in Working with Young People, Sport and the Environment
Over the years, I have worked actively in developing youth projects, combining environmental education, sport and community participation. I believe that hands-on learning and involving young people in outdoor activities are essential to promoting greater ecological awareness and the adoption of sustainable habits.
At the Verim Interpretive and Environmental Education Centre (CIEAV), we have been implementing actions that unite sustainability, education and well-being, empowering young people to be agents of change in their communities. Sport is a powerful tool for connecting with nature, promoting active lifestyles and respect for the environment.
In your opinion, what are the main environmental challenges facing our community?
The environmental challenges we face are diverse, but I would highlight three main ones:
- Excessive consumption of resources and waste production – Waste and lack of effective recycling are still a significant problem, affecting the quality of the local environment.
- Pollution and degradation of natural spaces – Rivers, forests and coastal areas suffer from pollution, often as a result of a lack of awareness and irresponsible behaviour.
- Lack of environmental awareness among the younger generation – Despite advances in environmental education, there is still a lack of knowledge about sustainable practices and the impact of individual actions on the environment.
Change starts with local action and education, which is why integrating sustainability into sports and youth activities can be an effective way of tackling these challenges.
How do you think sports can contribute to young people’s environmental education?
Sport plays a fundamental role in young people’s environmental education because:
- It promotes a connection with nature – Outdoor activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddling, hiking, cycling and trail running encourage respect for and appreciation of the environment.
- Teaches sustainability values – Practices such as eco-sports, and plogging, where participants collect rubbish during their run or walk, can be powerful examples of direct action.
- Reduces the ecological footprint – Using sustainable materials, reusing sports equipment and raising awareness of ‘zero waste’ events are effective ways of educating through sport.
- Creates a sense of responsibility – Healthy competition and teamwork help young people understand that their individual actions have an impact on the collective, a concept that applies to environmental preservation.
The key is to turn sport into a tool that goes beyond physical performance, becoming an instrument for building citizens who are aware of and committed to the environment.
What steps should we take to effectively implement these ideas and tackle environmental challenges?
- Include sustainability in sporting events – Encourage green competitions, where all participants make sustainable commitments, such as using reusable bottles, reducing plastic and cleaning up the natural spaces used.
- Create training programmes for coaches and young athletes – Raise awareness among coaches, teachers and athletes about sustainable sports practices and the impact of sports on the environment.
- Supporting ecological sports infrastructure and materials – Encouraging the use of preserved natural spaces for physical activities and promoting the development of sustainable equipment.
- Carry out ecological volunteering activities linked to sport – Ecological walks, competitions with litter picking (plogging), reforestation after sporting events and awareness campaigns with clubs and schools.
- Involve the community – Create partnerships between schools, sports clubs, environmental organisations and municipalities to ensure that environmental education becomes an integral part of local sporting activities.
Final Statement/Suggestions
I believe that the S.T.E.L.L.A project has enormous potential to transform the way young people perceive sport and sustainability. Integrating ecological practices into sports education not only improves the health and well-being of participants but also creates a positive impact on the planet.
I suggest that the project explore the creation of a practical guide for sports clubs, with suggestions for ecological practices, and encourage the realisation of environmental sports challenges that can involve different communities.
With everyone’s cooperation, we can make sport an instrument for environmental and social change!