Rays, Marlins Play Carbon-Neutral Ball On Eve Of Climate Summit

Miami, FL (AHN) - Two Florida pro sports teams, the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, played a carbon-neutral game Tuesday night on the eve of an annual global climate summit in South Florida.

The game, at Dolphin Stadium here, was responsible for more than 440 metric tons of carbon dioxide, taking into account travel to the ballpark, stadium operations and other measures, according to a statement issued by the Marlins.

The 2003 World Series Champs and the Rays teamed with the state and Carbonfund.org to offset the game's carbon footprint by investing in reforestation projects across the Southeast.

"Florida continues to lead the way in addressing global climate change, from our businesses and government agencies to the popular professional sports teams that call our state home," Gov. Charlie Crist said in the statement. "I commend the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays for being good stewards of our environment."

Crist is hosting the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami.

Florida was also host to the first carbon-neutral college football game in November, when arch rivals Florida State and Florida played in Gainesville.

The University of Florida worked with the Florida Forestry Association and Environmental Defense to offset carbon-footprint of that game, 1,750 metric tons of emissions, by dedicating 18 acres in rural North Florida for a pine plantation forest for 10 years.