Some classes change your perspective in unexpected ways. For former UVA basketball player Justice Bartley, an environmental science class sparked a long-term interest in the environment and sustainability.
Sabrina Sampson, UVA Office for Sustainability Student Employee
Some classes change your perspective in unexpected ways. For former UVA basketball player Justice Bartley, an environmental science class sparked a long-term interest in the environment and sustainability.
"It sounds cliche, but it really opened my mind to the different ways our world has evolved and how connected things are," he says. "One environmental change can lead to the next, and humans are really affecting that process. This class [EVSC 1300] made me more aware that what I do on a daily basis can really influence the world around me."
Justice walked on to the Cavalier basketball team prior to the 2015-2016 season, earning a scholarship from Coach Tony Bennett in 2018 for his dedication to the team and his embodiment of the program’s core pillars. Since graduating from the College in 2018, Justice completed his master’s degree at the University of Miami and now works for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks as a player development and video assistant.
Justice's desire to promote environmental sustainability remains strong as he pursues his career. At my internship with the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, I facilitated the Chamber’s formal partnership with EcoAthletes. Launched in April 2020, the initiative seeks to inspire and coach athletes to speak up about climate change. EcoAthletes provides climate education for athletes via virtual group workshops as well as individual consulting and mentorship for climate advocacy and brand development.
Justice and I agreed he would be a great fit for EcoAthletes, so I introduced him to the group's president. This fall, Justice took a new step in pursuing his passion for the earth by becoming an EcoAthletes Champion. "It was great to find a 'best-of-both-worlds' situation that combines my passion for basketball with my growing interest in sustainability and the environment," Justice says.
Looking back on his time in Charlottesville, Justice reflects, "UVA standards, athletically and academically, are really high and they have motivated me to be the best I can be. I have to have my own standard for myself and the way I act and treat others, whether I'd be walking around Grounds or out on the floor."
Justice's high personal standards extend into his goals for environmental advocacy. "I'm looking forward to having the correct information about climate change before going to talk about it," he says. "We want to do right for the world and do what's in the best interest for humanity, but there's no point in doing it wrong; EcoAthletes puts me in touch with people who have that knowledge and instruction for how best to talk about it. It's important to have factual and unbiased information so it's great that EcoAthletes provides that."
EcoAthletes President Lew Blaustein explains, "Our basic workshop curriculum takes on three obstacles to engaging with climate that are most universal among athletes: 1. It's too 'science-y,' 2. It's too political, and 3. I'll be branded a hypocrite because I have a big carbon footprint thanks to all the flying I do." EcoAthletes offers the Champions fact-based rebuttals in order to address the common difficulties and role-playing scenarios where Champions can practice presenting their counterarguments.
There is also a more in-depth climate science curriculum for Champions who are interested in learning about how climate change affects everything including sports, the importance of acting now, and viable solutions to the crisis. "Each workshop is tailored to the athletes' sport; for example, we provide an emphasis on climate change's impacts on oceans for water sports and a focus on extreme heat for sports like tennis and football," Blaustein ads.
EcoAthletes currently has 31 Champions from all over the world. "We can relay helpful information to each other and it's an open space to grow, learn, and do the best we can to pursue our mission," Justice explains. "We discuss how we want to talk about sustainability and what we do as athletes to use our body as a vessel. Last month we built a recipe book for our fundraiser, so I included that I eat certain smoothies to try to promote natural eating and healthy eating with sustainable ingredients. There's a lot to learn and a lot of ways to grow."
Justice says collaborating with the diverse group of athletes has been a great space to exchange perspectives about sustainability and advocacy, sometimes challenging his previous ideas. "The mission of the group and the way we share information is so genuine, and it's very refreshing to be a part of a group with so much passion."
In addition to a crash course on climate change advocacy, EcoAthletes offers guidance on climate communications. "It's important [for athletes to use their platforms] especially in 2021 because everyone is on social media," Justice explains. "Everyone is doing something that crosses paths with another person. All the algorithms on social networks make it so that whatever you click on can lead you to someone's page, whether it be entertainers, athletes, or other influences. Whenever you sign up for one of those accounts you have the power to influence what someone else sees. The more we make these connections the more we can positively influence other people for purposeful movements."
Even in his daily life at his job with the Milwaukee Bucks, Justice tries to uphold a certain standard of environmental stewardship. "The organization does a great job in making sure we keep everyone safe and that we follow the NBA's COVID protocols, so one of my responsibilities at work includes making sure the court is cleaned up. I make sure that plastic bottles are properly sorted into recycling, but it's little actions like that that can have a small influence on those around you," he says. "You never know who's watching. It's so cool that nowadays everything can become a conversation-starter, even just carrying around a bunch of plastic water bottles."
Justice's personal experience has shown him that certain lifestyle changes can have multiple benefits. Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 13, it wasn't until coming to college when Justice fully learned the importance of eating nutritious foods. Working with Virginia basketball strength and conditioning coach Mike Curtis and Virginia Athletics director of sports nutrition Randy Bird, Justice was able to choose foods that helped him stay healthy and meet his athletic and personal goals.
Now he eats plant-based as much as possible and sticks to natural and organic foods. "These choices lead me to healthier thoughts, lower levels of stress, and more," he says. "I believe switching to more mindful eating habits leads to benefits and solutions in more areas of your life than one. It adds life to the environment and to yourself."
At the end of the day, becoming an EcoAthlete Champion wasn't a very tough decision for Justice Bartley: "I would just tell someone trying to become an advocate to just hop on board. It's pretty simple to me. How can we help one another and share a world? It's an act of being selfless to advocate for your interests. If your heart's in the right place and you want to advocate for something important like sustainability then you should just jump in."