Climate change affects every aspect of human life, including recreation. It’s already begun to impact outdoor sports. What actions are authorities taking? What can you do to help?

While the changing climate requires everyone’s efforts, sports fans have another reason to get into the sustainability game. Here’s a closer look at how climate change impacts outdoor sports and what you can do to help protect your favorite pastimes.

How Does Climate Change Impact Outdoor Sports?

Rain delays are no stranger to sports fans. Will you face similar, more frequent outages? It’s possible, thanks to how climate change impacts outdoor sports.

1. Temperature and Safety

Rising temperatures affect players and fans alike. While spectators can bring umbrellas to deal with rain, you can’t escape 105-degree-Fahrenheit temperatures when seated in metal bleachers.

The sun’s hottest hours occur between noon and 4 p.m., right when many weekend football, baseball and soccer matches take place. While shifting to night games is one option, it presents problems for fans who have to work the next day. Furthermore, becoming nocturnal will only work for so long — stronger climate change action is needed.

Athletes are also at greater risk in extreme temperatures. Exertion in high temperatures strains your heart, increasing the risk of sudden coronary events. It also increases the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, which can be fatal or lead to permanent brain damage.

2. Rising Temperatures Increase Other Demands

Rising temperatures affect other aspects of sports, too. For example, one in 10 people worldwide already endure water scarcity. As a result, some sports, like golf, face increasing pressure over their use of vital resources, given greater competing needs elsewhere. While alternatives like artificial turf help in some cases, they aren’t feasible or suitable for large, outdoor areas.

Making Outdoor Sports More Sustainable

What about the game itself? Fortunately, many outdoor sports have minimal environmental impact — running and jumping don’t pollute. However, stadiums, teams and individual fans can support the following improvements to make their favorite pastimes greener:

●      Recycled and compostable containers at concession stands.

●      Improved waste management, including recycling and compost bins throughout facilities.

●      Installing low-flow and energy-efficient devices and lighting.

Love Outdoor Sports? Get Involved in Climate Action

Ultimately, combating climate change’s impact on outdoor sports requires a coordinated international, state and local effort to change human polluting ways. Here’s what people are doing now and how you can help.

1. Global and National Climate Change Initiatives

World leaders recently met to discuss climate change, identify goals and devise strategies for meeting them. For example, a major objective is limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, although many experts agree the current commitments made will fail to achieve it.

The U.S. falls short compared to much of the world in taking a strong stance against climate change. For example, the Biden Administration recently approved the Willow Project to produce crude oil despite objections from the scientific and activist community. Fossil fuels are significant climate change drivers.

2. How You Can Make a Difference

You can put pressure on leadership through your vote and your voice. Please ensure you are registered to be eligible for the next election — no excuses. You might also consider taking actions like the following:

●      Contacting your elected representatives and urging them to support legislation addressing climate change and rejecting bills approving new fossil fuel projects.

●      Writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper — other sports fans should know the impact.

●      Getting involved with environmental organizations devoted to environmental sustainability.

Climate Change’s Impact on Outdoor Sports

Climate change is here and has already begun to impact every aspect of life, including recreation. Has it already affected your favorite outdoor sport?

Unless humans take quick action to correct their ways, climate change’s impact on outdoor sports will continue. Getting involved is no longer merely a matter of doing the right thing — it’s essential to protecting the pastime you love.

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Mia Barnes is a health and wellness writer and the Editor In Chief at Body+Mind. She especially enjoys writing about mental health, physical well-being, mindfulness, and healthy living. When she's not writing, you can find Mia reading romance novels, jogging, and trying new recipes!