There’s something special about Oregon’s arena—and I’m not talking about the wood-painted court. Matthew Knight Arena, home to the University of Oregon Ducks and named for the late son of Nike co-founder and chairman Sam Knight, has become the NCAA’s first LEED Gold-certfied arena. In addition to men’s basketball, the 400,000-square-foot facility also serves the University’s women’s basketball, volleyball and acrobatics and tumbling teams. Says Chris Ramey, Associate Vice President, Campus Planning and Real Estate:

LEED certification for the Matthew Knight Arena aligns perfectly with the University’s commitment to maintain the current carbon footprint of our 295-acre campus while growing and expanding our facilities,” said Chris Ramey, associate vice president, Campus Planning and Real Estate. “The Oregon Model of Sustainable Development mandates that we achieve LEED Gold certification for new buildings and the arena is a wonderful showcase of the future of campus growth.

LEED Certification Matthew Knight Arena achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for New Construction Gold certification.
		Optimized building energy performance of up to 42% above state requirement Photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity for the arena and send any energy surpluses back into the public utility grid. Single-ply white membrane roof surfaces reflect sunlight and reduce the need for cooling, as does consolidated on-site parking in a three-level parking structure, which eliminates large asphalt surfaces. A ratio of glass to solid skin falls below 30 percent, thus minimizing energy loss through the building’s envelope.
50% less water used for landscaping A variety of water-efficiency measures provide a 30% reduction in overall water use. One such measure is a roof that captures rainwater and channels it through storm water bioswale planters on the building’s front face.
		Sustainable construction The building was constructed using recycled and regional materials, and the site itself that became an improved brownfield after workers eliminated hazardous and contaminated materials from the ground.
Indoor Air Quality Low-emitting carpet, paint, wood, stains, sealants and other materials boost indoor air quality. Exposure to natural light in the arena’s concourse heightens also improves the patron experience.
		Alternative transit The arena is within easy access of public transportation and features infrastructure that promotes biking.

Sources
Sustainable Business Oregon
Fish Duck
Matthew Knight Arena

Augusta National Golf Club is famous for its pristine 365-acre course and longstanding, zealously followed traditions, such as the green jackets donned only by members and Masters Tournament champions. Its deeply conservative culture leaves most outsiders skeptical about the sustainability-consciousness of the club—but in fact, its focus on natural course maintenance is what makes Augusta such a spectacle.

The club hasn’t been recognized by Audubon International for efforts to reduce water and toxic chemical use, but only because its groundskeeping methods have always been relatively eco-friendly. Explains Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) environmental programs director Gregory Lyman:

Augusta takes sustainability seriously. But their product is just different than everyone else’s … each blade of grass has a name.

Below are a few ways Augusta National uses sustainability to uphold its standards.

• The course’s natural timing requires minimal amounts of water, pesticides and fertilizers.
• Seasonal operations reduce material use and foster regeneration.
• Tress, shrubs, flowers and greens are hand-watered.
• Airflow technology naturally improves turf health.
• A state-of-the-art live rain radar system conserves water and reduces runoff.
• A 55-acre segment of the property, located to the left of the 11th hole, is a wildlife habitat.
• Hundreds of trees have been planted through a reforestation program.
• A tree mulching program prevents soil erosion, conserves water, improves soil quality and recycles tree industry waste products.
• An intern program emphasizes environmental stewardship.
• Parking areas for tournament are left unpaved to reduce surface runoff and provide habitat for ground-nesting birds.

Originally built in 1999, American Airlines Arena, home to LeBron James and the Miami HEAT, worked with local partners such as Waste Management and Dade Paper to become one of the first NBA arenas to achieve LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2009. Former mayor Manny Diaz on the achievement:

The American Airlines Arena is a catalyst for all Miami businesses to invest in a greener future. The Arena’s commitment to the Earth and our community paves the way for other companies in downtown Miami to follow that path and make a lasting difference.

LEED Certification In April 2009, American Airlines Arena became one of the first NBA venues to be LEED-certified, earning LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification on the same day as Atlanta’s Philips Arena.
		Water Efficiency Water-efficient landscaping drastically reduces water use. All plants are high to medium drought resistant, with a “drip and soak” irrigation system (micro irrigation) running under the surface, delivering water directly to the roots and minimizing evaporation.
Energy Efficiency Water is sourced off-site rather than an on-site chilled water plant. Underground parking and a high solar reflective index reduce the heat island effect and thus the need for cooling.
		Indoor Air Quality Walk-off carpets trap dirt and contamination of Arena guests.

Sources
U.S. Green Building Council
American Airlines Arena
South Florida Business Journal

The committee is pursuing the following initiatives en route to its goal.

• Fans are educated on and encouraged to practice recycling at all venues and many surrounding areas.
• Renewable energy credits were purchased to offset electricity used in the Georgia Dome to power all Final Four games.
• The court comprises FSC-certified maple and recycled plastic, and will be repurposed after the events.
• Hybrid vehicles have been added to the courtesy vehicle fleet.
• A bike valet was available at yesterday’s events.
• Through a partnership with Trees Atlanta, 75 trees were planted in two local neighborhoods and at two schools in honor of the anniversary.
• Electronic waste was collected for recycling at the March 2013 Community Electronics Waste Drive.
• All volunteers have been encouraged donate unused clothing for distribution to local citizens in need, and to take a green pledge containing a variety of basic sustainability actions.
• Many hospitality partners, including hotels and restaurants, have agreed to take on their own sustainability initiatives.
• Following the events, banners will be repurposed into memorabilia.

As much as I enjoy seeing these initiatives expand each year, I’m still left waiting for a more robust educational effort with heightened fan engagement—a clear priority of the New Orleans Host Committee for Super Bowl XLVII.

Philips Arena has been heralded by the NBA, NHL and state and local governments as a leader in sustainability and tool for community education. Through a partnership with Southface, the facility was retrofitted in 2009 to add a variety of sustainability features and initiatives. Says Dennis Creech, Executive Director of Southface:

Through its strong green commitment, Philips Arena will save money by reducing its energy and water costs, and will also create a better indoor environment for its employees and visitors. Its practical approach is a model for other businesses—large and small—on how to protect the environment and the bottom line.

LEED-certified In April 2009, Philips Arena became one of the first sports venues to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council after an extensive retrofit. The facility was certified under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system.
		8% less energy The retrofit included acute concrete pressure washing to the roof to boost sunlight reflectivity, thus reducing the need for interior cooling. Two main HVAC units were retrofitted, and a centrifugal chiller with a variable frequency drive drive as installed. Fluorescent lamps of lower wattages, many of which included occupancy censors, replaced existing lighting systems. A building automation system ventilates with outside air when temperatures permit, thus reducing the need for chillers and boilers. As a result of its energy-efficiency initiatives, the arena is using 4.5 million fewer kilowatt hours per year and requires 20% less energy than other arenas housing two professional sports teams. For the 2012-2013 NBA season, Philips Arena partnered with the Atlanta Hawks to purchase enough green energy from Georgia Power to fuel the Hawks’s 41 home games.
1.95 million gallons of water saved annually Low-flow shower heads and toilets, as well as high-efficency, automatic faucets, were installed, collectively saving 2 million gallons of water in the first 11 months. Limits were placed on water consumption for irrigation, and carpets are now cleaned with a dry chemical rather than water.
		12 tons of food waste composted annually The arena was built using crushed concrete and foundation pilings from Omni Coliseum, which occupied the site prior to Philips Arena. Seats from the Omni were refurbished and reused. A sustainable concession procurement policy was implemented during the retrofit for sourcing local vendors and using recycled materials. Paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper and copy paper, are all 100% consumer recycled content, and every light bulb, ballast and battery is recycled through Southeast Recycling to prevent mercury from leeching into the environment. The arena sends over 12 tons of food waste per year to be composted before it’s sold and used locally; its landscapers also follow composting practices. A Green Cleaning program was adopted to eliminate harsh chemicals and reduce the need for water in many areas of the operation.
75% green-manufactured carpet Carpet contains a minimum of 35% recycled content. Adhesives are required to be Low VOC. HEPA filters combined with secondary filters are used in the main building air handlers, thus cleaning the air twice.
		Clean Transit The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center rail station below the arena provides access to MARTA public transportation.

Sources
U.S. Green Building Council
Philips Arena
Atlanta Business Chronicle

This isn’t the first time the semifinal and championship games will be played on sustainably-sourced wood; however, this year’s floor contains recycled plastic in place of conventional virgin plastic. Through a pilot program deemed Recycle to the Final Four, three California schools recycled polypropylene to (symbolically) produce the material.

The program was spearheaded by Connor Sports, who manufactured the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four floors in 2013 for the eighth consecutive year. Connor is a U.S. Green Building Council member with FSC, ISO and Zero Waste certifications. Last year, the company named Jason Gasperich, LEED Green Associate, its new Director of Sustainability.

Thanks to Jason Gasperich of Connor Sport Court for his contribution to this post.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat, perhaps the most influential figure in basketball, is a bike commuter.

The three-time NBA MVP was caught on two wheels en route to Miami’s LEED-certified AmericanAirlines Arena in December, prompting a media frenzy . But this was no anomaly; the same thing happened back in January when Twitter user @JackNruth posted a photo of James’s six-foot, 250-pound frame over his custom Cannondale, which features King James written across its top tube. Alongside friend and business partner Randy Mims, LeBron was eluding traffic congestion caused by the Miami Marathon.

When the subject reemerged nearly a year later, LeBron had made a habit of ditching his lavish gas-guzzlers for this more efficient, healthful and economical alternative. Much to my surprise, he was motivated not by the dollars saved; in fact, he was riding up to 45 minutes to each game for fun, for the environment and most of all, to stay fit.

Says Shandel Richardson of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

LeBron is clearly stimulated by the conversation. “All day. I went without a car all day. To shootaround. After shootaround. To the game. And [home],” he boasted to Chris Tomasson in December, referencing a recent game against the Washington Wizards.

In his exceptional profile of James, Kevin Van Valkenburg of ESPN The Magazine describes the significance of biking in LeBron’s childhood and athletic development:

To be sure, the positive influence of bikes in his childhood is manifested in LeBron’s commitment to biking today.

King James isn’t the first NBA player to adopt two-wheeled transit. As a player for the Phoenix Suns, Louis Amundson habitually rode his bike to the US Airways Center. Unlike LeBron, Amundson played with a legendary prankster in Shaquille O’Neal, who had a tendency to misplace Amundson’s bike, even hanging it from the rafters at times. Justice was served for conscious commuters everywhere when Shaq’s discovered his SUV stuffed with pink packing peanuts.

Home to the Washington Nationals and renowned fourth-inning Presidents Race, Nationals Park is a pioneer in sustainable development: the 1.1 million-square-foot stadium was the first in Major League Baseball to achieve LEED certification. The 25-acre site, a former brownfield and part of the District’s Voluntary Cleanup Program, was selected to spur urban revitalization in the southwest quadrant of our nation’s capital.

LEED Silver Nationals Park was Major League Baseball’s first ballpark to be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building program, receiving LEED for New Construction Silver certification.
		30% Less Water Water-conserving plumbing fixtures, including low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets, were added to conserve an estimated 3.6 million gallons of water every year. The use of air-cooled rather than water-cooled chillers was estimated to save an additional 6 million gallons annually. Drought-resistant landscaping eliminates the need for irrigation. Other aquatic features improve the quality of stormwater entering the adjacent Anacostia River, including a 6,300-square-foot green roof and large sand filters beneath the stadium, both of which reduce hazardous materials. The green roof also lowers heat absorption, as do other rooftop features with low degrees of reflectance. Washwater is filtered and then sent to the sanitation system.
15% Less Energy The ballpark was designed to use 15% less energy than comparable conventional ballparks. Efficient field lighting reduces light pollution and uses an estimated 21% less energy than typical field lighting, saving a projected $440,000 over 25 years. Other energy initiatives include extra insulation, high-performance glazing, overhangs and external shading, LED scoreboard lighting, and heat-recovery ventilation indoors.
		35% Local Materials The project team carefully chose construction materials with a minimum of 10% recycled content and regional availability. Measured by cost, 35% of materials were extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of the site. Many interior materials, including adhesives, carpet glues and pants, contain low VOC contents.
83% Waste Diversion By weight, 83% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
		Clean Transit Parking is limited around Nationals Park to encourage use of the subways, buses and Capital Bikeshare bikes within close proximity. Bike racks featuring the Nationals logo sit outside the stadium, and a bike valet service is offered on game days. To transport players, mascots and gear, the Nationals purchased 20 zero-tailpipe emission electric vehicles prior to the park’s opening.
4,760 Jobs The project created 4,400 temporary construction jobs and 360 full-time-equivalent permanent jobs. Hundreds more will be added as the facility further catalyzes revitalization of Southwest, including a range of new residential, retail and office projects.

Sources
U.S. Green Building Council
Washington Nationals
Chrysler

Targeting the most sustainable Super Bowl of all time, the committee partnered with Entergy Corporation and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions for a number of initiatives. Perhaps most notable was the Geaux Green competition, in which fans made environmental pledges on behalf of their favorite NFL team. Through the program, fans lucky enough to attend Super Bowl XLVII in person could calculate carbon emissions associated with travel, and then purchase offsets from three projects certified by the Climate Action Reserve. Entergy matched every offset purchase dollar-for-dollar.

Fans pledged to prevent 22,728,830 pounds of carbon emissions through the Geaux Green initiative, and the Host Committee plans to purchase additional credits to offset the estimated 3.8 million pounds of carbon emissions associated with playing the game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, hosting festivities in Morial Convention Center, and housing teams and other NFL personnel in local hotels. To no one’s surprise, Saints Fans won the Geaux Green competition by leaps and bounds, with 864 pledges submitted.

Other sustainability initiatives of the New Orleans Host Committee included:

• a partnership with Hike for KaTREEna, through which 7,000 trees were planted in and around the city to offset destruction by Hurricane Katrina, thus breaking the previous record of 2,000 trees planted by a Super Bowl host city, held by Dallas;
• single-stream recycling of paper, plastic and aluminum at all venues;
• a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to recover unused food items for donation to local nonprofits;
• a partnership with REpurposingNOLA to manufacture souvenir items such as tote bags, wallets and shower curtains out of reclaimed Super Bowl banners, displays, signage and other promotional items;
• bike valet services and a free bike share pilot program through a partnership with Entergy Corporation, Bike Easy and Downtown Development District;
• a partnership with The Green Project to divert various materials—mostly carpeting—from local landfills and instead sell them to the community; and
• a partnership with Green Light New Orleans to host a series of events where volunteers install energy efficient lightbulbs, build backyard vegetable gardens, and clear and mark storm drains for underprivileged residents.

And the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home to Super Bowl XLVII, is an example for “not just rebuilding what was there before, but making it more environmentally sound,” says Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility for Entergy, in a National Geographic article. Explain the authors:

After a $336 million restoration, the “refuge of last resort” for 30,000 people during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 is now buttressed with protective and energy-saving features. The stadium’s outer wall is a specially designed double barrier system with improved insulation and rainwater control. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as it is now known, is ringed with 26,000 LED lights, covering two million square feet and supported by five miles of copper wiring, but which draw only ten kilowatts of electricity—as much as a small home.

I expect the New Orleans Host Committee to rightfully claim the most sustainable (they’ll probably say “greenest”) Super Bowl ever in its official sustainability report. While the conserved resources and prevented carbon emissions are praiseworthy, I hope the most impactful outcome of these the committee’s efforts is a more informed public and a foundation on which build an even more robust sustainability strategy for future Super Bowls.

A young associate with an alternative investment firm, Seavy Dickson is a pretty average American twenty-something: he works hard, enjoys catching fish, and spends much of his free time courting his high school sweetheart. When he entered the professional world in 2010, Seavy’s greatest challenge was not the nine-to-five workdays, demanding workloads or a stubborn boss; his most formidable daily obstacle was the conversation around the water cooler, where he would inevitably find his coworkers debating college hoops or sharing excitement over an upcoming NFL matchup. Where Seavy differs from the average American is in his absence of sports fandom.

Sports comprise an essential element of American culture. We use them to connect with people, both at work and in our personal lives. We plan our evenings, weekends and vacations around them. We spend our hard-earned salaries on coveted tickets, our marketing budgets on broad-reaching sponsorships. We even choose where we live and learn based on the local sports environment. For the 58 percent of Americans who, unlike Seavy, self-identify as sports fans, sports have a profound impact on the choices we make.

I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong.

This was true long before the age of digital media and real-time information; in fact, sports maintain a longstanding tradition of cultural influence. Jesse Owens debunked Hitler’s theory of Aryan supremacy by becoming the most decorated athlete of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, winning four gold medals. Jackie Robinson broke the major-league color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. With his famous 1966 phrase, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong,” Muhammad Ali mobilized opposition to the Vietnam War and inspired prominent civil rights activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. Billie Jean King propelled pay equality when she beat Bobby Riggs in 1973. And Magic Johnson, in his public battle with HIV, brought the epidemic to mainstream conversation.

The influence of sports today is stronger than ever. In our delicate society of economic volatility, bitter political division and religious tension, sports transcend socioeconomic, political and religious barriers. The multi-billion global industry—America’s 14th largest—unites people from all walks of life, reaching individuals, businesses, institutions and holistic communities.

Businesses in the U.S. spend billions of dollars every year to reach the vast fan bases of professional and collegiate sports. Thirty-second advertising slots for Super Bowl XLVI sold out by Thanksgiving 2011 for a record average price of $3.5 million. With 111.3 million viewers, the game was the most-watched television show ever. The cost of a 30-second slot this year is expected to exceed $4 million.

With some of the world’s most iconic, inspirational and influential figures and organizations, the sports industry is an ideal catalyst for our next great social movement and global industry: sustainability. The overpoliticized subject needs a little romance—and sports are packed with it.

Through engaging posts and compelling media, Triple Bottom Sports will beautifully showcase and encourage initiatives of athletes, teams, leagues and venues that promote sustainability and foster a higher quality of life.