This document discusses biodiversity and its importance, threats to biodiversity, and how sports can both impact and help biodiversity. Regarding its importance, biodiversity stabilizes the climate, produces food, and is crucial to life on Earth. Nearly 50% of natural biodiversity has been lost in the UK since the industrial revolution. Sports can impact biodiversity through infrastructure development and events, but they also have influence to raise awareness and engage the public in biodiversity issues and solutions. The document provides tips for how young people in sports can make a difference through social media, sustainable food choices, taking leadership on projects, gardening, and shopping sustainably.

1. Y O U N G L E A D E R S I N C R I C K E T
BACKING BIODIVERSITY

2. A brief intro
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3. Starting from the beginning
Why it is important?
It doesn’t get much more important than biodiversity as it is crucial to all life on earth! Many
people tend to think of biodiversity as a luxury for humans to enjoy. However, in reality, it is
responsible for stabilising our climate to make the world habitable and for producing all of
the food we eat.
What is biodiversity?
In simple terms, biodiversity is the variety of animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms
which make-up communities and habitats on earth. As a rule, the more diverse the species
in these habitats, the healthier the eco-system.

4. Biodiversity & climate change
“It’s impossible to prevent climate change, without focusing on biodiversity.”
CLIMATE CHANGE
Human behaviour releases
greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide, which act
like a blanket around the
Earth, raising temperatures
and causing devasting
changes to weather
patterns and eco-systems.
BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity can help to
reduce the effects of
climate change by
removing carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere.
Habitats can also help to
reduce extreme weather,
such as flooding and storm
surges.

5. The stats
Nearly 50% of our natural biodiversity lost
since the industrial revolution in the UK
The UK is in the bottom 10% for
biodiversity intactness – with losses worse
than all other G7 nations
1mill animal and plant species on the brink
of extinction globally

6. Why has the crisis happened?
INTENSIVE FARMING
URBANISATION
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
OVERUSE OF NATURAL RESOURCE
HUMAN CONNECTION

7. B I O D I V E R S I T Y B E N E F I T S

8. Even more than carbon capture
HEALTH
Connecting with nature
improves mood, reduces
stress & improves
physical health
CLEAN FOOD
Growth of certain species
improves soil health &
sustainability of food
production
STYLE & DESIGN
Biodiversity plantings can
improve interior and exterior
design – better visuals &
aesthetics
WELLNESS
Plant species provide
natural forms of wellness
products from medicine
to beauty

9. Health
Being in nature can make you happier!
Nature can make us feel positive emotions, which can help
improve our daily life. These include:
• calmness
• joy
• creativity
• contentment
Lack of access to nature is also associated with lower
levels of poor mental health; in particular lower depression
and anxiety levels.
Supporting biodiversity and accessible green spaces can
reduce mortality.

10. Clean food
Sustainable food production is critical to our future!
We all contribute to the demand for intensive farming to produce
flour, oil, beer, grains, fruit, vegetables and meat.
Habitats like wildflower meadows can provide an essential source of
pollen for bees, butterflies & other pollinators.
Planting of cover & environmental crops are fantastic as they:
• reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers & chemicals
• prevent the harmful leaching of chemicals into water systems
• improve soil health & the number of microorganisms
• Reduce flooding due to an increase in organic matter on bare soil

11. Style & design
Flowers & greenery creates a cool vibe!
The use of plants & flowers in modern exterior & interior
design is getting more popular.
Flowers and plants can be used as accent pieces, to soften
areas or even to create a certain expression.
Colours and textures create personality, a specific mood
and make a space unique.

12. Wellness
Plants can be used for natural wellness products!
• English Marigold reduces swelling & pain for insect bites
• Evening Primrose helps with pain relief
• Stinging Nettle is a natural anti-histamine
Wildflowers have also been used for generations to create beauty &
skincare products:
• Cornflowers reduce tired & puffy eyes, helping to tone and cool the skin
• Wild Carrot stimulates circulation, repairs and increases elasticity
• Meadowsweet has fantastic anti-ageing properties

13. B I O D I V E R S I T Y I N S P O R T

14. Impact on sport
Disruption of events due to
severe weather pattern
Scarcity and cost of food &
water for industry personnel
Increased costs of energy &
materials for infrastructure
Lack of funding for the industry
Management challenges of
playing surfaces
Increase in costs of holding
events
Lack of access & engagement
with nature

15. Impact from sport
Buildings, sports surfaces
and all of our facilities lead
to the loss of plant species
and habitats
Sporting events and
facilities contribute to the
demand for cost-effective
food and drink
Sport creates a significant
amount of waste – from
food to clothing and
plastics
Noise and vibrations disrupt
natural cycles
Use of chemicals and fertilisers
on playing surfaces can cause
damage to humans & wildlife
Lots of people travel to sport by car,
coach or even aeroplane which
means infrastructure is needed and
noise/vibrations created
Use of water resources for
playing surfaces, facilities and all
those involved in sport

16. Influence
GENERAL POPULATION
SPORTS FANS
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS
PLAYERS & ATHLETES

17. You can make a difference
ENGAGE ON SOCIAL
If you’re active on social media,
follow, like and create content to
raise awareness around the
biodiversity crisis. Document any
projects you’re involved in & let
others know why it’s so important
THINK ABOUT YOUR FOOD
A bit like shopping sustainably, think
a) where has it come from and b)
has it been produced with
sustainability in mind. Buying local
products, from farm shops, where
possible, will help get you on the
right track
MAKE IT HAPPEN
You have great ideas! Don’t let
anyone stop you from making them
happen. Take the lead on projects
and work together to show what you
can achieve!
FIND YOUR INNER GARDENER
Get your hands dirty and find some
areas to rewild! Try your home,
school, park or your local sports
club. Suggest your ideas to those in
charge and get the community
involved
SHOP SUSTAINABLY
Where possible, check out the green
credentials of the brands you shop
from. Take a look at whether they
have a sustainability section on their
website and what actions they’re
taking to be more eco-friendly

18. M A K E A P A C T T O B E P R O U D O F