Meet the Member: Skateistan

In the Meet the Member series, we highlight members of the Cool Down Sport for Climate Action Network and their work at the intersection of sport and climate change. This week Freddie chatted to Hala Khalaf, co-executive director of Skateistan.

1. Hello Skateistan! Tell us what Skateistan is all about? What does your organisation do?

Skateistan is an award-winning NGO, driving a global movement in skateboarding and creative learning. We do whatever it takes to give at-risk children and youth the opportunities they need to learn, play, and shape their futures. What does that mean, you ask? Skateistan’s programs focus on two main strategies: The Skateistan Program Partnerships work together with partners to reach thousands of the hardest-to-reach children and youth around the world; and The Goodpush Alliance brings together hundreds of social skateboard initiatives to collectively solve today’s challenges.

Our work focuses on access to learning opportunities, inclusion of displaced communities, and access to physical and mental health. We prioritize gender equity and racial justice across all programs, and this is all possible through Skateistan’s strong programs model.

2. Which of your projects on tackling the climate and nature crises are you most excited about? How is your organisation tackling the climate crisis and promoting sustainability?

Skateistan’s approach is rooted in sustainability and community-driven action. Many of our partners integrate climate education into their programs, helping young people understand and respond to the challenges of the climate crisis.

Operationally, we strive to reduce our environmental impact, from the materials we use to our commitment to localized expertise. By empowering local leaders and organizations, we minimize unnecessary carbon footprints while creating solutions that are more resilient and effective. But we can always do better, so we keep on looking for ways to improve.

3. What is different and special about sport that can make it so good for mobilising climate action? Why do you think sport is a powerful vehicle for stimulating more ambitious climate action throughout society?

Sport has a unique ability to inspire, connect, and mobilize people across cultures and geographies. It’s not just about physical activity - it’s about teamwork, resilience, and shared values. Sport transcends barriers, reaching audiences in ways few other platforms can.

When paired with climate action, it becomes a powerful tool for awareness and advocacy, demonstrating that collective effort can achieve impactful change. We can harness the attention of young people that sport requires and try to inspire communities to adopt sustainable practices and push for systemic change at the same time.

4. What do you think truly green sports would look like? How do you picture your favourite sport in 10 years time? What is your vision for a sustainable future for sport?

Truly green sports would prioritize sustainability at every level - venues powered by renewable energy, equipment made from eco-friendly materials, and events with minimal waste and transportation impacts.

In skateboarding, I imagine a future where skateparks are constructed using sustainable materials and designs that work harmoniously with their environments. My vision for the future of sport is one where every decision considers the planet, fostering not just great athletes but also great environmental stewards.

There are fundamental barriers within skateboarding, especially around equipment, on account of the materials required. As the industry doesn’t yet reward innovation, it may be some time before truly sustainable progress is made. However, individuals and communities can make decisions every day to offset their impact on the environment.

5. How does being a member of the Cool Down Sport for Climate Action Network help you?

Being part of the Cool Down Network connects us to a vibrant community of like-minded organizations committed to climate action. It provides a platform to share knowledge, collaborate on innovative solutions, and amplify our collective impact.

Together, we can tackle the challenges of the climate crisis more effectively, leveraging the power of sport to inspire global change.

6. Tell us something about you and sport that most people won’t know?

Everyone who knows me probably knows how much I love sports, any sports (well… that’s not true…yeah you, Golf, I’m talking about you) but what they probably don’t know is that sports was a big part of my early life, and a big influence.

As my younger self, I was the captain of Jordan’s National Women’s Basketball Team.

7. Everyone has a favourite sporting moment, what is yours and why?

I can’t think of any particular moment, but fun fact, and in the spirit of sports and climate, skateboarding is not only a sport, it’s transportation, so it’s always a possibility to give back to the planet by pushing a board.

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To find out more about Skateistan’s work, visit their website.

If you’d like to spotlight your organisation as part of the ‘Meet the Members’ series, get in touch with cooldown@newweather.org.