In It to Win It: Sports and the Climate Crisis

Gr 4-7–In this wide-ranging overview, Silver describes how sports contribute to the global climate crisis. For example, as teams and fans travel, harmful carbon dioxide emissions are added to the atmosphere. Large and small sports venues create waste; and even clothes and equipment can have a negative impact. Meanwhile, pollution and rising temperatures create health issues for athletes and threaten the future of winter sports. This fast-moving, fact-filled account is supplemented by cartoon illustrations and color photos, maps, graphs, and text boxes. There are interviews with athletes turned activists, innovative ideas, and tips on how to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Stadiums are adding solar panels, eliminating single-use plastics, and using sheep to trim their grass. Two teen brothers started Balls4Eyeballs, which recycles tennis balls and funds research into eye disease. Silver’s tone is upbeat throughout, urging young athletes be part of the “winning team” by making small but impactful changes such as donating used equipment and uniforms. The book concludes with a glossary and additional resources.