World renowned broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and conservationist David Attenborough once said about deforestation and the overfishing of our seas that: "Anything that we can't do forever is by definition, unsustainable.
"If we do things that are unsustainable, the damage accumulates, ultimately, to a point where the whole system collapses."
With the impending climate crisis, sustainability is becoming something that everyone must consider.
Whether that is using public transport, consuming less meat or perhaps turning down the thermostat and wearing warmer clothes, the climate emergency is becoming more pressing.
This weekend Wexford football captain Róisín Murphy will bring forward a momentous motion to the Gaelic Players Association's (GPA) congress.
The motion is a call upon the national governing body 'to review sourcing standards for all gear and equipment used for the purposes of any activity related to the inter-county game, with a view to implementing sustainable sourcing guarantees.'
Murphy, who works as a responsible sourcing manager with Kerry Group is taking a lead on driving GAA reform and wants all the governing bodies to analyse how and where their equipment suppliers source their raw materials.
It is not only the environment that affects her thinking. Of equal concern are the ethical work practices in place by equipment suppliers.
"I'm bringing the motion forward because I believe that the GAA has a fantastic platform and opportunity to really change the questions we ask in this space and to do better," said Murphy.
"It's not a secret at this stage that the pearl industry has a significant impact on the environment, on human rights in those supply chains.
"As an organisation we should be asking the questions like 'Where do these materials come from? How are they produced?'
"And as an organisation that really advocates for health and wellbeing and communities, we do have a responsibility to look and see how our organisation is impacting communities in other areas and other countries as well."
The reasons behind the motion are 'to consider moving to gear suppliers who can prove that they do not use child / forced labour in their supply chains, fabric sourcing and / or manufacturing and meet sustainability standards around their carbon footprint'.
The Green Club Programme is a partnership between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association and local authorities across Ireland. It is designed to promote sustainability both on and off the pitch.
"The first step is to bring this to the table and ask the right questions to raise awareness within our organisation and with our suppliers and to start building this traceability and transparency," said Murphy.
According to Met Éireann, the annual average surface air temperature in Ireland has increased by over 0.9°C over the last 120 years, with a rise in temperature being observed in all seasons.
Annual precipitation was 6% higher in the period 1989 to 2018, compared to the 30 year period 1961 to 1990.
"I believe that as an organisation, this is aligned with our values and what we stand for. We have the opportunity to source our materials ethically and to make sure that they are produced ethically too."
