AliousSunderland have unveiled a special edition of one of their historic club badges for their match against Coventry City, incorporating a striking visual change to raise awareness about climate change.
The Black Cats are donning a modified version of their iconic coastal crest, which now features rising waves engulfing the lower section of the emblem. This alteration is designed to symbolize the potential consequences of rising sea levels and how they could affect the city of Sunderland in the coming decades.
In an official statement, the club highlighted the alarming rate of climate change, noting that global sea levels have risen by 21–24 cm since 1880, with projections indicating that parts of the English coastline—including Sunderland’s historic Roker Pier and Marina—could be underwater by 2050. The statement also referenced the Met Office’s confirmation that 2024 recorded the highest global temperature since records began in 1850. With climate change accelerating, the effects—ranging from heatwaves and droughts to flooding and wildfires—are becoming more severe, posing serious risks to both the environment and human health.
The North East has already felt the consequences, with 2023’s Storm Babet causing extensive structural damage to Roker Pier, which remains closed due to its impact.
Sunderland’s badge redesign is part of the club’s involvement in **Green Football Weekend**, a nationwide initiative encouraging sustainability in football. The club is also backing **The Great Save**, a campaign urging fans to extend the life of old kits by donating, selling, or repurposing them instead of sending them to landfill.
This initiative ties into Sunderland’s broader **Ready Eco** sustainability strategy, which aims to make the club carbon neutral by 2040. As part of this commitment, the club has announced plans to build a solar panel energy farm at their training ground, capable of generating enough electricity to power 9,421 homes in the North East.
For fans looking to own a piece of this eco-conscious moment, player-worn jerseys from the Coventry City match will be auctioned off, with proceeds going towards sustainability efforts. Additionally, club sponsor **Fanatics** is offering discounts to supporters who donate old kits in-store before March 28. Fans who participate can purchase an adult away shirt for £28 and a junior version for £23.
Through these efforts, Sunderland are not only making a bold statement on the impact of climate change but also encouraging their supporters to take tangible steps toward sustainability.
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