Love Cricket? Go Green!

The changing weather conditions are forcing outdoor sports to the brink of extinction. We have already witnessed cricketers wearing masks due to bad air quality and sometimes coping with unbearable hot weather. In 2018, the Royal North Devon Golf Club was eroded by the sea whose levels rose and the sea ate into golf course land. Just like the sports enthusiasts awaken to climate change crisis, the foodies should be concerned as sea water lobsters and French fries shall go missing from the menu in years to come.

Why? Because the extreme weather shall no more be conducive to play outdoor sports, the lobster larvae will not survive the rise in sea temperature and the potato crop will suffer due to changing weather pattern and hence no French fries. And no cricket.

What is causing this global warming?

Global warming is due to the Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide which trap heat in the atmosphere and cause the atmospheric temperatures to rise. Industrialization led to indiscriminate use of coal, gas etc. which released GHG in the atmosphere and temperatures rose. Humans went berserk since (1890-1900) and the average temperature since has risen by 1 degree centigrade. Extinction of plant and animal species and perhaps extinction of cricket is a consequence of global warming.

Who is saving the planet?

A reason to breath easy is the fact that responsible companies are committing to taking steps to save the planet. With a mix of statutory compliance and self-regulation, corporates are adopting a roadmap of sustainability in their functioning. A framework of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), aims to establish links between the financial results of a business with their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report card. Besides Environment (GHG emissions included), other factors of Social (Human rights, safety etc.) and Governance (Ethical standards etc.) are the benchmarks of measuring a firms sustainability commitment. Top 1000 listed companies, by market capitalization, need to file the BRSR with Securities and Exchange Board OF India (SEBI) from this year. Eventually, more companies shall be required to do so. These companies shall bring about a positive change.

What are your favorite companies doing about this climate crisis?

Stakeholders are eager to know what their favorite companies and brands are doing for the environment. Consumers prefer to engage with such companies. Even research proves that combinations of ESG pillars lead a company to achieve higher levels of marketing performance.  Putting down their sustainability practices in the company’s investor reports is not effective communication.

If your company has a sustainability vision, it is your responsibility is to guide the consumers to make sustainable choices. Communicate your genuine concern. Your campaigns should reflect honesty, not deception.

Go green. Save cricket.