The World Conference on Sport and the Environment was thoroughly documented by a team of "rapporteurs" who took notes in every session. The team, headed by David Chernushenko, will summarize and publish their notes in a few weeks. In closing remarks on Tuesday, Chernushenko shared his high-level observations of the two-day conference.

Real-world inspiration

"Measuring and reporting our activities and progress are important as a useful tool for continuous improvement, but also as an essential defense against the accusation of greenwashing."
--David Chernushenko, tasked with summarizing the 2009 World Conference on Sport and the Environment.

There has been significant progress from theory to action at all levels, Chernushenko said. This does not mean that all are acting, but that many are, and achieving results beyond sport.

"We are now discussing sustainable development in its full sense, and not just environmental protection," Chernushenko said.

Storytelling, he said, is essential to inspire and guide event organizers. He pointed out that it is ironic that, in a field that is characterized by competition, there is such a willingness to help others. He encouraged the sharing of real-life stories and case studies, particularly those with quantitative metrics.

"Measuring and reporting our activities and progress are important as a useful tool for continuous improvement, but also as an essential defense against the accusation of greenwashing."

Charting the way forward

Chernushenko urged delegates to focus on their spheres of influence, and to use that influence. There are no universal solutions, but there are universal principles and values that unite and inspire, he said. Communication is key.

"We must continually innovate when it comes to inspiring people and communicating with them," he said. "We must get better at harnessing the passion that people hold for sport, for heroes, for challenges, and to connect this with their desire to be participants in creating a healthier, sustainable society."

Chernushenko evoked a Ghandi phrase that was quoted often throughout the conference: "Let us all be the change we wish to see in the world."

"Humans wish to do more good, not just less bad. We want to be better citizens, not less bad ones. We have the power not just to reduce and protect and minimize, but to improve, regenerate and sow seeds, in sport as elsewhere in society. Increasingly, sports bodies are aiming to be more good. To have a large ecological footprint, but a positive one."

Chernushenko's parting advice to delegates was to "go forward and maximize our sustainability footprint."

The conference was held March 29-31, 2009, in Vancouver BC, site of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games.