I had a great chat with Erin Silver, the author of In It To Win It: Sports and the Climate Crisis. This book is aimed at middle-grade readers, around ages 9-12, but it packs a lot of information about how sports impact our environment.
One inspiring example is Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, which aims to be nearly waste-neutral. They sort trash into recyclable, reusable, and compostable categories, with only a tiny fraction ending up in landfills. But not all sports arenas are as environmentally friendly. Many sports, including wrestling, have a significant carbon footprint. From travel emissions to the waste generated during events, these impacts add up.
My column for the Society of International Hockey Research focused on hockey’s efforts to combat climate change, and I couldn’t help but ask Erin about wrestling. Major WWE events often feature extravagant setups that are only used for a couple of days. Think about all the resources that go into those productions!
WWE even produced a drone show for a recent event, which was impressive but still had environmental costs—like battery use. While drone shows are better for the environment than traditional fireworks, there are still plenty of fireworks at major shows, creating more pollution.
I wonder, does WWE reuse any of its equipment? Or does it all end up in a warehouse or the trash? It’s hard to believe there’s anyone at WWE whose sole job is environmental sustainability.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get responses from either WWE or AEW when I reached out for insights.
Erin mentioned, “I haven’t done wrestling, but I’ve researched events like the Olympics and car racing. Interestingly, the cars actually produce fewer emissions than the transportation involved.” That’s a surprising twist! Wrestling, with all its travel and logistics, contributes significantly to emissions as well.
Erin is hopeful, though. If wrestling events take place in venues like the Climate Pledge Arena, they could benefit from zero waste initiatives and LED lighting. “It’s important that they are making some effort,” she noted.
It’s easy to criticize companies for their impact, whether it’s AEW flying in extra crew or selling cheap merchandise. Erin has some practical suggestions. Public transportation to the stadium is a smart choice for reducing carbon footprints. It also makes sense economically. There’s no need to sell plastic bottles if they’re not being recycled. And when fans buy shirts, they should remember to keep or donate them rather than throw them away.
Erin believes kids can make a difference too. “Children often influence their parents. They learn about environmental responsibility in school and bring those lessons home. Just think of the impact when they remind parents not to let the water run while brushing teeth or not to idle the car,” she explained.
She has done extensive research for her books and is optimistic. “Kids who learn about these issues can encourage change in their households. It’s about finding balance—enjoying life while being mindful of our impact on the planet.”
Everyone can do their part, and with awareness, we can enjoy our favorite events in a more sustainable way. Whether it’s wrestling, concerts, or hockey games, there’s potential for positive change.
Check out this related article: “Understanding How Tropical Tree Crowns React to Environmental Changes: Insights from Scale-Dependent Temperature Responses” – Communications Earth & Environment
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