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“How much is needed to create a single hamburger?” asks Mathieu Flamini, a former professional football player who is now a biochemical entrepreneur. The surprising answer is 2,000 litres of water. “It’s crazy,” he exclaims. With the same passion and drive that he displayed on the field for teams like Marseille, Arsenal, and Milan, Flamini now presents his innovative ideas for sustainable living.
Flamini, who only eats one meal a day, enjoys a cup of hot water at a vegan cafe in Soho while advocating for the advantages of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. He states, “The environment and our health are interconnected.” Approaching his 40th birthday next month, he may have retired from professional football in 2019 after playing for Getafe, but he still speaks and appears as if he is an athlete.
He is a co-owner of GFBiochemicals, a top company in developing eco-friendly substitutes for petroleum-based goods. Their main product is levulinic acid, which has the potential to be used as a biofuel precursor. Replacing traditional fuels with renewable options has become a lucrative industry, and Flamini got in on the ground level by helping to launch the company in 2008 shortly after joining Milan. GFBiochemicals now collaborates with multinational corporations in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
There is a long journey ahead to reach a global standard for safe levels of carbon. According to him, the issue of climate change is being neglected. He expresses concern over the fact that in countries like India and China, people can no longer engage in outdoor activities due to poor air quality. Is this where we want to end up?
“Plastic is a pervasive presence in the ocean. Even for those who do not prioritize environmental concerns, it is alarming that babies are being born with microplastics in their organs. This issue cannot be overlooked.”
He thinks that football could contribute to preventing the environmental disasters that pose a threat to the Earth. Football? The game associated with luxury private jets, speed cars, extensive air travel for international tournaments, and clubs funded by oil money? The same sport where Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, has formed a partnership with Saudi Arabia and where the governing body is expected to receive $100 million annually from Aramco, the biggest oil company in the world?
Flamini, a football player, is the spokesperson for Green Football Weekend, an event taking place this weekend where Sky Sports, BBC, and TNT are participating by changing their colors from yellow to green. This initiative focuses on promoting the consumption of vegetarian food as a way to help the environment and involves schools in spreading this message at the grassroots level.
Supporters have the opportunity to obtain a recipe book that includes a delicious cauliflower, potato, and spinach curry dish created by Raheem Sterling. The Observer reports that incorporating more vegetarian meals into one’s diet can help reduce the negative environmental impact of mass-produced meat.
The approach is to make small adjustments that will lead to significant progress. According to Flamini, the key is empowering individuals. Climate change can seem overwhelming and daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps and showing people how their daily choices, such as using plastic products and fossil fuel-based toiletries, contribute to the issue can empower them to make a difference. By multiplying these individual changes by billions, we can make a substantial impact.
The campaign’s goal is to reduce the division surrounding climate change, which has become a contentious topic in the UK due to issues such as the ultra-low emission zone in London, low-traffic neighborhoods, and Labour’s fluctuating commitment of £28 billion towards green investment. Refocusing on football can help soften the intense debate, and even the UK’s football scene has been impacted by climate change, as evidenced by scheduling disruptions in lower divisions caused by flooding this winter.
Flamini states, “Our team is experiencing consequences, but we are not accusing anyone. We are bringing attention to the issue and attempting to find solutions. Football and sports, in general, have the ability to unite people from all walks of life, regardless of wealth or nationality. It is crucial for football to take a stand against climate change. What can be done? One option is to implement carbon offsetting measures, but this should be considered the bare minimum.”
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In 2026, the World Cups for men will take place in North America, followed by three continents in 2030 and Saudi Arabia in 2034. As a member of the environmental committee for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Flamini has numerous suggestions for the organizers. These include obtaining food from local sources, providing vegetarian options for athletes and fans, minimizing the use of plastics, utilizing sustainable products instead of those made from fossil fuels, and striving to reduce transportation. It is important to incorporate all of these solutions into the planning process as it is an ongoing effort.
He stopped following a pescetarian diet after learning from the Arsenal physio, Gary Lewin, that his monthly blood tests showed high levels of mercury. Growing up in Marseille and being an avid diver had already made him aware of the pollution in the Mediterranean. He openly confesses to owning a sports car from the fleet of Ferraris that arrived at the Milanello training ground.
Imagine a child who grew up in a challenging environment with limited access to food. Despite facing poverty, this child held onto a dream of performing in front of a large audience. This dream eventually came true. Along with this dream, the child also had a picture of a sports car on their wall, making it hard to discourage them from chasing after this aspiration.
It is likely that the athlete will own a luxurious sports car, but he also has the option to pursue other activities such as adopting a vegan lifestyle, offsetting his carbon emissions, or using his platform to raise awareness. It is possible that he may even consider switching to an electric car in the future.
Flamini, who used to fly on private jets frequently, now relies on the Eurostar to balance his busy business life between London and Paris. He understands that promoting environmentalism can sometimes make people seem hypocritical, especially when considering the convenience of air travel. However, he believes that it is important to encourage others to choose more environmentally-friendly options when possible, even if that means sacrificing some convenience, such as taking a boat instead of a plane.
His method of influencing views in the realm of football and the larger business community is primarily focused on finding common ground and being business-minded. However, he still admires the bold and proactive activism of Greta Thunberg and others like her. He finds it inspiring and believes that when he was younger, he was simply playing football. He sees their message as one of hope and believes that by spreading it to corporations and the football world, it will impact the future generation of consumers. He urges others to take action and make changes.
Source: theguardian.com
