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While the World Cup has people's attention around the world, there's a lot more to talk about than just the scores. From biodiversity conservation to shedding light on human trafficking, here are some of our favorite World Cup and soccer-related stories.
Human trafficking
The World Cup has been found to increase human trafficking, and a Current TV story exposes how the problem is on the rise even outside the World Cup, as African boys are trafficked to play soccer, mostly in Europe, as the search for talent intensifies.
Journalists are using the World Cup to shed light on the issue and the Red Card campaign has been active in South Africa to raise awareness among attendees of "the most serious offense against humanity."
Green uniforms
Image: ©unep.org
African soccer teams at the World Cup are sporting PUMA jerseys to promote biodiversity, part of a campaign that will help three causes you can help choose.
Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands, meanwhile, are wearing Nike jerseys made partially from recycled plastic bottles.
World Cup-inspired eco-fashion
Image: ©Branch
Designers have created accessories and handbags made from old soccer balls.
Beyond the World Cup: other cool soccer-related ideas
Image: Jessica Lin/sOccket
- Energy-generating soccer balls—the sOccket, which generates and stores enough energy to power an LED light or charge small electronics—are one of the most exciting ideas out right now that combine fun and sport with practical innovation.
- An organization called Peace Passers collects donations of old soccer gear to help kids who don't have access to shin guards and soccer balls enjoy the game.
- Landmine survivors in Lebanon play soccer to raise awareness about landmines and cluster bombs.
- A company in Japan has created an earthquake-proof house shaped like a soccer ball.
- Ashoka is inviting ideas for how soccer can change the world. If we've left out any great ideas for the potential that soccer has to do some good in the world, that's a great place to submit them! (So is the comment section below.)
Related Posts:
African Soccer Team Jerseys by Puma will Promote Biodiversity at World Cup
Red Card Campaign Highlights Human Trafficking at World Cup
Nike Creates World Cup Jerseys From Landfill Plastic
