We’re taking to the pitch this month for our inaugural season, turning a BIG dream of addressing environmental justice into a reality. The Club exists because the systems we’ve chosen, and the misguided and deleterious ideologies that inform them, are destroying, rather than regenerating, nature’s capacity to support all life on Earth. Those same systems have simultaneously produced extreme social inequality and inequities that harm all of humanity and nature. These challenges require every institution in the world to transform, and they require all of us to embrace change in our own lives.
Why haven’t we made more progress on challenges like climate change and systemic racism? In large part because our institutions, at the federal and local levels, have struggled for common ground. Polarization is championed, reconciliation is for losers, and taking personal responsibility is somehow a sign of weakness instead of a strength. Without some common ground, collaboration at the scale that’s required will continue to be elusive. For us, soccer is that common ground. It’s the thread that binds us, the fuel that drives our passion for life, the soul-stirring, beautiful reflection of humanity that makes us believe anything is possible. That’s why we believe soccer can be a uniquely powerful catalyst for a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world.
We believe environmental justice is the answer to our greatest challenges. This means we recognize that certain social groups – low income, BIPOC, and others – are disproportionately impacted by environmental harms, from toxic pollution to climate change. These groups are often the least responsible for these environmental challenges. The most holistic and enduring solutions to environmental challenges address the social inequities embedded in environmental harm. Environmental justice gives structure to how we run our club, and we’ve built it into our competitive strategy, operational processes, and culture.
We’re addressing environmental justice in five ways: become a net zero club following climate science and justice principles, become an anti-racist soccer club, produce purposeful apparel and kits that change the game, donate 1% of our annual sales to organizations working on behalf of the environment, and raise awareness through education.
We’d love for you to join us in this transformative journey. Grab yourself a ticket and come out for some games! You can buy your season ticket today, or if you’re not sure you can make the full season, come out for our historic home opener. If you need more flexibility in your summer schedule, and want to support financial accessibility in our community, recognizing that social inequities affect socio-economics, buy a “Spread the Love” ticket. You’ll get two tickets to a home game of your choice and we’ll donate 7 match tickets to an organization serving youth and families.
We can’t wait to share this journey with you.