Over the weekend, there was global reflection during World Environment Day on their core message that the future of humanity depends on action now. Badminton players Miranda Wilson and Kai Schaefer are doing just that with their ‘BadmintONEarth’ project. Read to find out more.
#GenerationRestoration is the hashtag that was being shared on social media to promote the many events and initiatives arising from the day. Miranda Wilson and Kai Schaefer are top German badminton players, training full-time, yet find time to address the major issues facing this generation.
Wilson first came up with the idea.
-It originated from the idea that every sport could “plant their ground” by planting trees. Climate change is a global issue. As athletes, we of course have a big negative impact by travelling so much, but we also have the chance to reach out to our sporting communities to raise awareness and take action.
BadmintONEarth is a clever and catchy name, incorporating the sport we love with the notion that we have one earth and we should look after it.
-We played around with the names and then after some very weird suggestions we were inspired by Miranda´s Mum who simply suggested Badminton Earth. We then turned it into BadmintONEarth.
How many badminton courts?
Naturally, the project having been given life by two badminton players, there is a badminton theme. At the time of writing, 787 trees have been donated which covers an area of almost 40 badminton courts.
-It´s about reaching out to the entire badminton community. Other projects such as the “Hockey Forest” have shown an amazing impact in the world of Hockey in Germany. Of course, climate change has received more attention in countries like Germany, but it´s a global topic concerning every country and every person. We wanted to make a start in our sport, in our country. We wanted to not only talk about existing facts but take initiative, act within and beyond the badminton world.
There´s a long way to go
The project has made a strong start, but there is a clear long-term vision.
-With BadmintONEarth we want to create a long-term impact and not reach a final donation target. Thanks to “Sports for Future” every donation is doubled currently so we have about 40 badminton courts of trees planted with about 8000 euros. We also want to reach out to local teams, the professional teams, include the associations and fans. There´s a long way to go. Our first goal is to reach 30,000 euros.
All players can play their part
All players are encouraged to make a donation to compensate for the emissions from their tournament trips. The reaction of fellow players has been mostly positive.
-We started reaching out to our teammates in the National Team and asked them to join the project from the very beginning. Many players immediately showed interest and support. And so, the project kickstarted with about half of the team on board and has so far received amazing feedback from the German badminton community. Though we are still in the first phase of the project, reaching out to the community, raising more awareness and waiting for the first trees to be planted and the solar/social projects to be initiated in Bankana.
Africa
Bankana east of Kinshasa City in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the location of the project.
-We are lucky to have found organisations in the process of creating BadmintONEarth that support the values and goals of the project. Firstly “Sports for Future”, a German-based organisation carrying out the message of climate change in the field of sports, meanwhile with many big associations on board such as the German Football Association.
-And our second partner, the Zenaga Foundation, made the realisation of BadmintONEarth possible in the first place by organising and communicating with local organisations. It was our intention to not start a project anywhere but rather somewhere where it is useful and needed. So, in communications with Zenaga we found a suitable place, in the DR Congo. The local actions will be supervised and directed by the local organisation ASEAD (Academy of Science and Engineering for Africa Development).
Once the project has started and the first measures are taken, Wilson and Schaefer may consider going there to visit the site. They are keen to see where 100 per cent of the donations went, although will be careful not to conduct any unnecessary travel.
-We are a climate project after all and want to keep emissions in our private lives as low as possible, so at first, we want to focus on building the project.
Find the time
The two behind the project are impressive characters. Wilson, 21, is a young rising star, could have become a professional Violinist, is involved with the Army as a Sports Soldier and is studying Nutritional Science at university. Schaefer has just gone through a tough Olympic qualification period and will be Germany’s representative in the men’s singles in Tokyo. Preparation for this will be intense.
-We have long days of training and squeeze in a bit of university here and there. But concerning the project, it is not a question of time. We´re both passionate about the topic. Especially Miranda [Wilson] has gained great expertise and experience in “sustainability as an athlete”, starting off with the Zero Waste Lifestyle, which she shares in public and on social media, followed by public talks at events such as a
TEDx talk in 2019. We really felt the need to engage on a public and political level, so finding time wasn´t hard.
The why and how
Why is sustainability important?
-As mentioned before climate change is global. It is present. And the scientific evidence is clear about the consequences of current actions. Of course, it´s easy to ignore, neglect or resign. But we can also take note of the global situation and start coming up with ideas and solutions locally. By saying locally, we also mean including local communities such as the badminton community.
How can badminton become more sustainable?
-As a sport, we have enormous potential to become more sustainable. From the way we produce shuttles and rackets to how and where we travel to and from tournaments, which materials the brands use to make clothes and how products are disposed of. It takes creative people to rethink the present because the possibilities are out there.
A final message to the badminton community from Miranda Wilson and Kai Schaefer:
-Climate change affects all of us. As a sport, we can contribute to a better future, unite, and make change possible. Join us on the road! One sport – one earth.