Youth sports shape lifelong habits, foster teamwork, and build communities—but they also contribute to a growing environmental crisis. From excessive waste at tournaments to carbon-heavy travel and unsustainable facilities, the environmental footprint of youth sports is substantial. Consider these facts:

🔹Transportation Emissions in Youth Sports: Travel is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in youth sports. Families often drive long distances for practices, games, and tournaments, contributing to millions of tons of CO₂ emissions annually. Simple shifts like carpooling, using electric vehicles, and choosing local tournaments can significantly cut emissions.

🔹 Young athletes are especially vulnerable to the impact of extreme weather including high heat. In fact, heat stroke is the leading cause of death in sports which is concerning given nine of the last ten years have been recorded as the hottest in human history. 

🔹 Plastic Waste at Sporting Events: Millions of single-use plastics are discarded at youth sports games and tournaments each year—water bottles, snack wrappers, and disposable gear—much of which ends up in landfills or the ocean. Shifting to reusable alternatives and zero-waste policies can dramatically cut down pollution.

🔹 Energy-Draining Sports Facilities: Many youth sports facilities still rely on outdated, high-energy lighting and inefficient operations. By switching to LED lighting, sports venues can cut energy use by 70%, reducing both costs and carbon footprints.

🔹 Air Pollution and Health Risks: Rising temperatures and worsening air quality from climate change are leading to increased heat exhaustion, asthma, and canceled games due to unsafe conditions. Research shows that youth athletes are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses as global temperatures continue to rise.

As the climate crisis intensifies, youth sports must be part of the solution. YESS (Youth Eco Sports Scorecard) provides a clear framework for teams to take action—from reducing waste and carpooling to implementing energy-efficient practices and protecting young athletes from extreme heat. By adopting sustainable solutions, youth sports can reduce their environmental impact, promote healthier playing conditions, and set an example for the next generation of athletes.