Sustaining Sport

Benjamin Mole

Sport is one of the great joys of the human condition for athletes and spectators alike. It can bring happiness, livelihood, physical health, and mental well-being, and it provides an education in teamwork, discipline, maturity, and humility. If that is to continue, sport must face up to serious structural challenges, both within and around it. It doesn’t simply inherit society’s problems; it can reinforce and broadcast them, or, handled differently, help to dismantle them. But what are the challenges, and what steps can be taken? Here I seek to address exactly that.  Along with accomplished guests, I look at planetary boundaries, sexism, racism, sponsorship ethics, mental and physical health, social justice, and more. We’ll talk about potential remedies and how each of us can make a difference. Change starts with conversation, can build into awareness and mobilisation, and, with luck and persistence, can lead to something more like meaningful change. Please remember that the views expressed in this podcast may no longer be current when you hear them. My views are my own, as are those of my guests, who, while valued here for their insights, do not necessarily reflect the values of Sustaining Sport and do not speak on behalf of the show. Contact: benmole@sustainingsport.com

  1. 25/03/2025

    Playing within the (planetary) boundaries: Cricket and Climate Change with The Next Test

    Chris Britt-Searle is a passionate volunteer with The Next Test. This UK-based nonprofit is becoming a vital hub for players, clubs, and fans committed to addressing the environmental challenges facing cricket. In this thought-provoking discussion, Chris shares the story behind The Next Test and offers insights into the organisation’s role in uniting the cricketing community to confront ecological issues. We examine the current status of cricket in the face of climate change and explore how players, sports organisations, and governing bodies contribute to helping (or hindering) sustainable change. Our conversation also touches on the complexities of partnerships with environmental activist groups, the challenges posed by high-carbon sponsorships, and the broader implications of ecological uncertainty on the growth and development of cricket worldwide. This episode goes beyond the boundaries (all puns intended) of the game, challenging assumptions and offering a look at cricket’s potential to lead in the fight against climate change. Whether you are a player, fan, or simply curious about the intersection of sports and sustainability, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. This episode was recorded in November 2024. Support the show Please feel free to reach out to the show on Web: sustainingsport.com Instagram: @sustainingsport Linkedin: /sustaining-sport Facebook: @sustainingsport Twitter: @SustainSportPod Now on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.social or contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

    33 min
  2. 16/04/2024

    Warming Up - How Climate Change is Changing Sport

    Madeleine Orr is an Assistant Professor of Sport Ecology at the University of Toronto. She is also a co-founder of the Sport Ecology group, and in early May she will be releasing a brand-new book called “Warming Up, How Climate Change is Changing Sport” which, as you may guess, focuses on how sport is adapting to and wrestling with climate change. From seasonal sports' responses to climate shifts to using community sports facilities during natural disasters, this episode promises an eye-opening exploration of the environmental challenges and the hope that can spring from adversity. Maddy also shares with us how she navigates the double intersection of Sport with Sustainability and Academia with Industry. And we question the very definition of 'sustainability' in sports. Has this once-critical concept been diluted, and should we redefine the term to better align with the planet's needs while preserving the magic of sports in the future? I hope you find it interesting! You can (pre)order a copy of the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/warming-up-9781399404525/   And maybe meet Maddy during her book tour. Dates, times and locations are here: https://twitter.com/maddyjorr/status/1777823539405500589  Support the show Please feel free to reach out to the show on Web: sustainingsport.com Instagram: @sustainingsport Linkedin: /sustaining-sport Facebook: @sustainingsport Twitter: @SustainSportPod Now on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.social or contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

    1h 1m
  3. 24/08/2023

    Bad advertising – How dirty businesses are buying their social license operate through sports

    Advertising is supposed to be a way for businesses and entrepreneurs to show you how good their products are. But what if many of the products in adverts are actually bad? They could be bad for you or potentially bad for this planet and its delicately balanced biosphere. Today’s topic is bad advertising. We are talking to researcher Freddie Daley who works as a coordinator for a tremendous organisation called Badvertising. As sport holds a powerful place in the hearts and minds of fans and athletes around the world, it is a potent tool for advertisers. According to Statista, in 2022 the global sports sponsorship market was worth an estimated 66 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to grow to 107 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. It is one of sport’s biggest revenue streams, dwarfing that of merchandise and tickets. Freddie and his colleagues know this and therefore must dedicate a lot of time calling out and campaigning against adverts that contain false information or normalise businesses whose operations are harmful to people and the environment. Freddie joins us today to discuss this sport, sustainability, and advertising intersection. It’s a complex and arduous topic at times but his pragmatism and belief in the possibility of a better system makes it very much worth a listen! You can also find more research and work on this at the Rapid Transition Alliance. Support the show Please feel free to reach out to the show on Web: sustainingsport.com Instagram: @sustainingsport Linkedin: /sustaining-sport Facebook: @sustainingsport Twitter: @SustainSportPod Now on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.social or contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

    50 min
  4. 09/08/2023

    Colonial echoes in sport and the environment – time to decolonise and degrow?

    The convergence of sport, decoloniality, and the environment presents a labyrinth of intricate ideas, and as we delve into their interconnectedness, the complexity deepens. Joining us on this informative journey is Samuel Clevenger, an Assistant Professor at Towson University in the USA, who has been trying to unpack some of this intersection. We start with the radical concept of decoloniality—an evolution beyond mere decolonisation. Through philosophical references and anecdotes, we raise instances where sport has been wielded to perpetuate a Western-centric worldview, shaping notions of identity, imagery, and competition. Then, in contrast, we examine examples where Western sports were recast more in the image of the indigenous people who were pressured to play them. As we pivot to the environmental repercussions, a canvas of broader societal critiques unfurls. The discourse expands to encompass profound themes like climate justice, athlete and fan burnout, and the nuances of degrowth or post-growth. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about the multifaceted connections between these realms, there are undoubtedly ideas in this episode of interest to you. Support the show Please feel free to reach out to the show on Web: sustainingsport.com Instagram: @sustainingsport Linkedin: /sustaining-sport Facebook: @sustainingsport Twitter: @SustainSportPod Now on Bluesky /sustainingsport.bsky.social or contact us at: benmole@sustainingsport.com

    54 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Sport is one of the great joys of the human condition for athletes and spectators alike. It can bring happiness, livelihood, physical health, and mental well-being, and it provides an education in teamwork, discipline, maturity, and humility. If that is to continue, sport must face up to serious structural challenges, both within and around it. It doesn’t simply inherit society’s problems; it can reinforce and broadcast them, or, handled differently, help to dismantle them. But what are the challenges, and what steps can be taken? Here I seek to address exactly that.  Along with accomplished guests, I look at planetary boundaries, sexism, racism, sponsorship ethics, mental and physical health, social justice, and more. We’ll talk about potential remedies and how each of us can make a difference. Change starts with conversation, can build into awareness and mobilisation, and, with luck and persistence, can lead to something more like meaningful change. Please remember that the views expressed in this podcast may no longer be current when you hear them. My views are my own, as are those of my guests, who, while valued here for their insights, do not necessarily reflect the values of Sustaining Sport and do not speak on behalf of the show. Contact: benmole@sustainingsport.com