Bohs join in fight against climate change

Why would Phibsboro’s favourite football club have a climate justice officer? The Liberty finds out.

With football fans deprived of live matches, clubs such as Bohemian FC are reaching out to fans and contributing to the community in other ways.  

The Liberty spoke to newly appointed Bohemians ‘Climate Justice Officer’ Sean McCabe about how his (voluntary) role came about in the club.  

“I spoke to Bohemian FC about this piece of work, and lo and behold we ended up with a new climate justice officer”

League of Ireland’s first Climate Justice officer, sean Mccabe

“I am a member of the club and nearly two years ago Hibernian Football Club from Scotland sent a delegation over to meet with Bohs. They’re known as the greenest club in Scotland because they wear green, but also because they’re very good with climate and environmental issues.”  

McCabe also currently works for TASC, an independent think-tank who aims to address inequality and sustain democracy. Before his role in Bohemians, he published a paper about how communities can lead the transition to a zero-carbon society.  

“I received funding from AIB to implement the model described in the report for two communities, and we chose Phibsboro as one. I spoke to Bohemian FC about this piece of work, and lo and behold we ended up with a new climate justice officer.” 

“Little steps are the way to go, we’re looking at opportunities to reduce waste such as cutting down on plastic water bottles at the club.” says McCabe.  

Climate change is a prominent issue in 2021 and awareness is the first step for change. Bohemian FC were the first League of Ireland club to appoint someone to this voluntary role and McCabe hopes they will not be the last. 

“I would love to see League of Ireland clubs embracing the philosophy that they are the guardians of their communities and to create a platform for the conversation that has to take place about the climate challenge.” 

The Phibsboro team has recently launched a partnership with MG Electric Motors, which has provided fully electric cars for the club captain and manager. Electrical power points have also been installed at the ground to encourage fans and staff to go electric.  

The Gypsies, along with some Premier League team,s have joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “They have a sport for climate action initiative, and we have joined that,” says McCabe. 

“It sets out a number of challenges for us to make in terms of communicating climate change to the fans and building awareness,” he continued. 

McCabe says a massive transformation is needed in Ireland and globally in how we deal with climate change and its impacts.  

“Vote. It all starts with our politicians. In addition to that communities have to look out for each other and not leave anyone behind.”