Climate Change Disrupts Sports; Calls Grow For Safer Policies

Climate change is not only affecting the environment but also leaving a deep impact on global sports. From scorching heatwaves to biting cold, unpredictable weather is disrupting games across disciplines.

In recent years, wildfires, rising sea levels, and air pollution have damaged football, golf, and winter sports.

Arhan Bagati, co-organiser of Climate Summit 2025, called the situation a ‘big wake-up call’. He said sports organisations have already started taking initiatives to adapt.

Climate Change Impacts on Sports

The effects of climate change are visible worldwide. Wildfire smoke has forced football match cancellations, rising seas have destroyed coastal golf courses, and shorter winters have hurt skiing and ice hockey. Bagati noted that weather unpredictability has even made night match scheduling difficult.

India too faces this challenge, as intense heatwaves increasingly disrupt cricket and other outdoor games.

At the Paris Olympics 2024, organisers set climate-conscious goals, showing how global sports are adjusting. In Kashmir, a football tournament linked every goal to planting a tree, while major leagues like the IPL have introduced eco-friendly practices.

To counter climate risks, sports bodies are developing new policies and emergency protocols. These measures focus on ensuring the safety of athletes, coaches, fans, and volunteers during heatwaves, extreme temperatures, or wildfire smoke.

Bagati stressed the need to adapt facilities and schedules to minimise the climate’s worst impacts.

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