On Tuesday, March 11, Mr Budge was host to Footy for Climate’s co-founder Tom Campbell and CEO Alexi Lynch, as they discussed the ways in which climate change is impacting the game we all know and love on Seymour FM podcast ‘EarthChat’.
Footy for Climate was launched in 2021 as a registered not-for-profit organisation under the name AFL Players for Climate Action.
Backed by more than 260 players and 40 player leaders across the country, Footy for Climate was co-founded by Mr Campbell, who currently plays for Melbourne FC, alongside former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide player Jasper Pittard.
By harnessing the influence of AFL and AFLW players, Footy for Climate seeks to engage fans and players in an important discussion, prompting them to take action to safeguard the game, and the world.
With two games already having to be postponed within the first round of this year’s season due to the extreme weather conditions in Queensland, there’s no time like the present to open up this discussion.
On ‘EarthChat’, Mr Campbell delved into the pressing nature of climate action.
“Climate change is impacting footy, and I had a direct experience a couple of weeks ago, where my practice match with North Melbourne Football Club was rescheduled from midday to 10am, so we could play outside of the worst of the heat,” Mr Campbell said.
“Our players come from communities right around Australia, and around the world, and they have real connections to places that are being impacted by climate change.
“What we’re trying to do is bring people together on this issue.”
Mr Lynch, who has over two decades of experience within the sustainability and climate change sectors, also highlighted how the climate crisis is an issue we are facing in the present day.
“The main thing is, climate change is having an impact on footy right now,” Mr Lynch said.
“Just as we’re seeing in Queensland and northern NSW, the priority is making sure people are safe, but we’ve just had two AFL games postponed.
“What we’re doing is building involvement for fans and players to protect the future of the game.”
In 2021, a Footy for Climate survey, supported by the AFL Players’ Association, found that 92 per cent of the 700 AFL and AFLW players surveyed were concerned about the climate crisis.
Mr Budge said that while the impacts of climate change on the game are clear, there is still a chance for fans and players to save the game.
“They (Mr Campbell and Mr Lynch) are clear, over 500 clubs have suffered financially because of the direct impact of climate change,” Mr Budge said.
“The good news is that there are many things which clubs can do to respond.”
‘EarthChat’ is live on Seymour FM every Tuesday at 12pm.
The conversation Mr Budge had with Mr Campbell and Mr Lynch can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at www.beam.org.au/earthchat/episode/6f7211b2/too-hot-for-footy-s25-ep9
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