Sofie Junge Pedersen: “Let’s mobilize the fans for the environment and we will have the best victory”

“The game to play is long, but if we can convince football fans to do their part to protect the Earth, then sport will have found its most beautiful victory”. Sofie Junge Pedersen30 years old, is not only one of the bulwarks of Juventus female and of the national team of Denmark, midfielder, but is testimonial of WePlayGreen2the environmental movement founded by the footballer Morten Thorsby committed to engaging the global football family in green action.

Pedersen took up the challenge and from the beginning of the championship he left his usual shirt number, 14, to play with number 2 and thus remember the maximum limit of 2 degrees of increase in the planet’s temperature, set by the Paris for global warming. A shirt that combines his two great passions, football and the environment. Both without borders.

Speaking of iconic numbers, will he take the field with Professor Hawkins’ colored stripes on April 22?

“Of course, a universal language must be used to encourage anyone to act in favor of the Earth. Even small gestures can be replicated. Trigger a virtuous circle between us athletes, the fans and the clubs. Football players should seize opportunities like this to involve young people who follow them with passion. Their voice could be the first step in tackling and starting to solve the climate crisis”.

Using a soccer field to save the planet. But what can it do in terms of sustainability?
“The main problem remains that of carbon emissions due to travel. On this point, however, something can be done and immediately. For example, avoiding organizing travel within one’s own country by plane. Obviously for international cups the situation is more complicated”.

And what could be the green gesture of the fans?

“They too should, like us, accept the challenge of change. For example, by avoiding traveling to see the matches by car, but prefer public transport, a bus, a train. Maybe that day they could also avoid eating meat, thinking what impact its consumption has on the environment. They are small gestures, but there are millions of people who are part of the world’s football community.”

When colleagues ask her ‘but what can I do’ what does she answer?
“They often asked me. So I organized a meeting with teammates showing the importance of collective and individual actions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Many ideas emerged. We also talked with them about the question of how to reuse the sports equipment, especially uniforms. Perhaps less could be used by lowering emissions”.

She has been recognized for her commitment to the environment and has achieved many successes in football. Is there a dream that unites the two passions?
“The world is bigger than football. I am thinking of the populations who are fighting for their survival due to climate change. It is a crucial moment for our planet. We must begin to reverse the trend. Now. The gestures and voices of the footballers especially the more charismatic ones, they can get the message across faster. I’m sure the world will follow them.”