NBA Green Week 2009 and Hockey Pros Give Emissions Reductions a Shot

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More teams than just the Boston Celtics will be going green this season, as next week the National Basketball Association (NBA) plans to tip off its first ever NBA Green Week 2009. Fans will be treated to green giveaways, the chance to win 40 autographed basketballs made from 40% recycled materials, as well as find out more about what their favorite teams are doing to go green.

Now in its second year, the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) Carbon Neutral Challenge program is getting more than 420 hockey pros to sign up to commit to making substantial changes to their carbon footprint. Just who is taking part? Keep reading.Green Hoops in the NBANBA Green Week, will also unveil 100% organic cotton shooting shirts for all team members, which will also be available for fans to purchase. The program is organized by the NBA and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Robert Redford has a special Public Service Announcement during games, and certain team members will be participating in community service projects and recycling programs in communities during that week.

The NBA Green website currently has tips on how you can get involved, for example with the Houston Rockets tennis shoe recycling, or find out where your favorite players will be in your community doing green good.

NHLPA Carbon Neutral Challenge

The NHLPA program was organized in conjunction with the David Suzuki Foundation and in its first year offset 4,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (equal to removing 840 cars from the road for a year). Through the program, players can purchase carbon offsets from PlanetAir to offset their travel throughout the regular season.

After joining the program, several hockey players took it upon themselves to do more besides just offset travel. Players like Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins), Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks), Andrew Ference (Boston Bruins), Steve Montador (Boston Bruins), Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres), Robyn Regehr (Calgary Flames), Matt Walker (Chicago Blackhawks), Willie Mitchell (Vancouver Canucks), and Matt Bradley (Washington Caps) are all participating in the program and are leading their teams to additional reductions and savings.

Some of the green pursuits for these players include starting recycling programs; collecting rainwater; walking, biking, carpooling and taking public transportation. They are also taking energy efficiency seriously around their home and have upgrade the insulation. Several of the guys regularly talk to school students about their environmental footprint and responsibility to the planet. Players are challenging their fans to also take account of their environmental footprint and take an interest in meeting the challenge to reduce their emissions.

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