Meet the ‘Green’ Women’s Soccer Players Supporting Environmental Causes
While every day should be Earth Day, the actual day we celebrate this holiday is here! April 22 marks 52 years of Earth Day being celebrated and serves as a chance to learn about ways to protect our environment, commit to a greener lifestyle, and recognize those supporting environmental causes.
Climate change is no big secret, and its impact is proven to be detrimental, even affecting the soccer world. Yet advocacy for more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles seems to be a slow-growing trend still.
However, several players are dedicated to creating change in the world, one recycled item at a time! Here are a few players supporting environmental causes.
Lauren Barnes
As Lauren Barnes’ Instagram bio says, she is all about sports and sustainability! The captain and defender for the OL Reign is a huge advocate for a greener world, starting with the locker room.
When the pandemic hit, Barnes realized how much room for growth her club had to reduce its carbon footprint. In an effort to lower the amount of single-use plastics within her team, she contacted several companies to provide reusable water bottles, plates, and utensils.
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Barnes continued on her sustainable path and created MAD (Make A Difference) travel kits for her team, which launched at the 2021 Challenge Cup. The kits contain sustainably-produced items, such as toothbrushes, shampoo, and even protein powder.
Through Barnes’ leadership, the OL Reign has committed to more sustainable practices throughout every aspect of the club.
Jasmyne Spencer
Jasmyne Spencer is making an impact with her new team Angel City FC, both on the pitch and off. As a self-proclaimed environmentalist, Spencer started Jas It Up, a sustainable lifestyle brand, while she was still playing with the OL Reign in 2017.
Following the footsteps of Lauren Barnes, Spencer wanted to support the environmental cause in a different way. Since its inception, the brand has brought awareness to the need for more eco-conscious efforts, particularly in the fashion industry. Jas It Up features athletic wear made from environmentally friendly materials, such as organic cotton, recycled nylon, and bamboo.
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Spencer has certainly found buy-in while playing with various clubs, too. She often features teammates modeling the clothing on the brand’s website and social media pages.
Zoe Morse
Zoe Morse brought more than just her soccer skills when she joined the pros. While playing for the University of Virginia, Morse started Green Athletics, a student-run group that supported sustainability in all athletic programs.
In the professional league, she is incorporating her environmental science background to push for greener changes with her new team.
Last year, she collaborated with the Chicago Red Stars to host a “Go Green” game, where the organization gave away reusable bags to the fans. The Red Stars defender even convinced the club to use a zero-waste detergent when washing the team’s uniforms and practice gear.
So excited to work with EcoAthletes to help make the sports world sustainable 🌱 let’s make a #ClimateComeback https://t.co/vgGt2MIzuc
— Zoe Morse (@Zmo10) February 16, 2021
Off the field, Morse is part of the Chicago Conservation Corps, an organization that trains volunteers to improve neighborhood quality through environmental projects. She is also a member of EcoAthletes and an ambassador for Hometown H2O.
This Earth Day, don’t forget to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Even the smallest changes will help shape our soccer world and make it available to all for years to come.
Featured image via @jayspence3 @luuuuluuu @zmo101 on Instagram
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