Football Players Kickstart Renewable Energy
With money to burn on gas guzzling sports cars, short haul trips across Europe for games, long-haul holidays and energy sapping mansions, the modern day footballer's carbon imprint is larger than the average person. But the top players are superstars and kids and adults alike look and copy a great deal of what they do. "Rightly or wrongly people look up to footballers," said Jason De Vos of Ipswich Town. "If we can do our part to get the message across that can only benefit the environment. "I think we have an obligation because of the status we hold." Amongst the premier league players, former England and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has emerged as an environmental campaigner and is keen to get the message out to as many people as possible. "The are one or two gas guzzlers at the club but generally we're pretty good," said James. "You can't stop people wanting to drive fast cars but there is an argument that the bigger car you drive, the higher tax you pay which would go to environmental causes." For his part, James has converted his gas guzzling Chrysler car to run on rapeseed oil or "grow your own fuel," as he calls it. The goalkeeper also recycles his own rubbish, has his own vegetable patch, is restoring his Devon farmhouse and set up the David James Foundation to nurture sustainable agricultural projects in Malawi. "We do contribute to greenhouse gases and so there is no reason why football as a fraternity across the globe can't help." James wants football's governing bodies in the UK to practise more "joined-up thinking" on environmental issues. James suggests rather than reward those that win the 'fair play' league, the FA should reward environmentally friendly clubs with a place in Europe. That idea is probably a little too radical for the FA, but the governing body has been inspired by Al Gore's Live Earth concert, held at Wembley earlier this month, and is formulating a green policy this summer. A spokesman said: "Anything we can inherit from the lessons of Live Earth we'll take on board, from noise pollution, to recycling and turning lights off." While the FA is not being prescriptive, the Premier League is researching a policy of good practice for all their 20 clubs. "We already know some clubs are acting in an innovative fashion to conserve energy, recycle and reduce water usage," a spokesman said. "It's now about building on this and educating others about the importance of being environmentally aware." And you can do your bit for the environment and save a ton of money at the same time by switching to a green energy supplier. For more information click here. Another heartening development is the English Football Association getting together with its football clubs and football fans to drive home the message of renewable energy.
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