Sports are both impacted by and contribute to climate change. COP29 events provided athletes with a unique opportunity to express how climate change has affected them.
In a session attended by many ministers and prominent figures in the sports industry, discussions addressed how sports can be included and considered in climate action efforts.
How Does Sports Impact Climate Change?
Sports contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions caused by:
1.Sports Equipment: Various sports require specialized equipment, and the manufacturing of these items releases significant greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
2.Travel: Sports tournaments necessitate travelling worldwide. Regardless of the mode of transportation—typically airplanes, buses, or cars—substantial greenhouse gas emissions are generated.
3.Maintenance: Both international and local tournaments require regular maintenance of stadiums to ensure they are suitable for matches, which also produces considerable greenhouse gases.
4.Energy Consumption: Sports events often demand energy for lighting, heating, cooling, and other operational needs.
5.Waste: Fans often consume food and drinks while watching games, generating enormous amounts of waste. As this waste decomposes, it releases greenhouse gases.
How do Sports Affected by Climate Change?
Climate change impacts sports in several ways, including:
1.High Temperatures: Extreme heat leads to various medical issues for athletes, such as physical exhaustion, skin rashes, and muscle cramps, ultimately reducing athletic performance.
2.Pollution: Greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures result in poor air quality, negatively affecting athletes’ lungs and blood health, increasing their vulnerability to illnesses.
Integrating Sports into Climate Action at COP29
On Monday, COP29' agenda saw the 'human development, health, education, children, and youth' day. A two-hour panel titled “Sports for Climate Action: Playing to Win Against Climate Change” took place, and featured ministers, athletes, and sustainability experts from around the globe discussing the role of sports in tackling the climate crisis.
Simultaneously, a video was released featuring several Olympians who expressed solidarity with the climate change cause. In the video, they shared personal experiences of how climate change affected their sporting careers and proposed potential solutions to address the crisis effectively.
The sports sector requires significant efforts to reduce emissions and ensure the sustainability of sports. Many sports are threatened by rising temperatures caused by climate change. Achieving sustainability in sports practices is crucial to preserving activities that humans have enjoyed for millennia. Ultimately, sports remain a symbol of health and a flourishing life.
