A game’s CO2 footprint depends on team size, travel, stadium size and energy use, and concessions. Game frequency, though, makes the biggest difference: One baseball game is a carbon lightweight. But all those doubleheaders add up, landing mlb in overall last place. Here’s how the big four score.
|
SPORT |
GAMES PER SEASON |
EMISSIONS PER TEAM PER GAME (TONS)* |
TOTAL TEAM EMISSIONS PER SEASON (TONS) |
OFFSET EFFORTS |
|
NFL |
16 |
716 |
11,448 |
The Philadelphia Eagles’ home games are 100% wind powered; team subsidizes renewable energy for employees’ homes; emissions cuts equal 1,500 cars per year. |
|
NHL |
82 |
232 |
18,983 |
More than 500 players pledged to offset their share of the league’s jet travel. |
|
NBA |
82 |
225 |
18,409 |
At a Houston Rockets “green game” this year, hybrids parked free; mascot Clutch the bear was dyed emerald. |
|
MLB |
162 |
179 |
28,998 |
The San Francisco Giants installed 590 solar panels in their stadium, enough to run the scoreboard for a season. |
