College athletic programs are vital in the world of higher education, bringing in billions of dollars each year and improving the name recognition and institutional prominence of schools across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But these programs can do much more than generate revenue and improve the reputations of schools. They can also serve as useful tools for environmental protection, according to one NC State expert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe value of sport has never been higher when it comes to sustainability,\u201d said Jonathan Casper<\/a>, an associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at the College of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casper, whose research focuses on the relationship between sport and the environment, recently led a virtual workshop on how higher education institutions are leveraging sport to promote sustainable behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The workshop was hosted by the ACC Sports Sustainability Team<\/a>, a group of sustainability professionals, collegiate athletic departments and student-athletes within the Atlantic Coast Conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During the workshop, Casper discussed the emergence of sustainability as a social priority, noting that Americans are increasingly accepting and adopting practices aimed at protecting the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe as a society are beginning to change our attitudes and norms related to sustainability in a good way,\u201d Casper said. \u201cPeople are becoming a lot more aware of sustainability as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that younger Americans \u2013 Millennials and adults in Generation Z \u2013 display more sustainably-oriented behavior<\/a> and are inspiring other age groups to act more sustainably. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Higher education is leading the way in facilitating this social shift, according to Casper. In fact, many universities are establishing departments to promote sustainability among faculty, staff and students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, with public awareness of sustainability growing, universities are uniquely positioned to promote it at a much larger scale than other institutions thanks to the reach of their athletic programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sport is widely acknowledged as an important platform for sustainability and is used by organizations around the world, both professional and collegiate, to reduce their environmental footprint<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2015, for example, NC State launched Zero Waste Wolfpack<\/a> to engage fans and volunteers in recycling at football games. It\u2019s also since added solar panels<\/a> at Carter-Finley Stadium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWithin college sports, we know there is this environmental impact,\u201d Casper said. \u201cWe have large-scale facilities and events that we manage, team travel and fan travel. These all impact the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casper said college athletic programs and other sports organizations can utilize fandom to prompt broader societal change: \u201cThere\u2019s a trust that comes with a sport organization. It can be a very valuable thing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n