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A: Since the Industrial Revolution, the global annual temperature has increased in total by a little more than 1 degree Celsius, or about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Between 1880-the year that accurate recordkeeping began-and 1980, it rose on average by 0.07 degrees Celsius (0.13 degrees Fahrenheit) every 10 years. Since 1981, however, the rate of increase has more than doubled: For the last 40 years, we've seen the global annual temperature rise by 0.18 degrees Celsius, or 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit, per decade.

The result? A planet that has never been hotter. Nine of the 10 warmest years since 1880 have occurred since 2005-and the 5 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2015. Climate change deniers have argued that there has been a "pause" or a "slowdown" in rising global temperatures, but numerous studies, including a 2018 paper published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, have disproved this claim. The impacts of global warming are already harming people around the world.

What causes global warming?

A: Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO ₂) and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth's surface. Normally this radiation would escape into space, but these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter. These heat-trapping pollutants-specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and synthetic fluorinated gases-are known as greenhouse gases, and their impact is called the greenhouse effect.

How is global warming linked to extreme weather?

A: Scientists agree that the earth's rising temperatures are fueling longer and hotter heat waves, more frequent droughts, heavier rainfall, and more powerful hurricanes.

In 2015, for example, scientists concluded that a lengthy drought in California-the state's worst water shortage in 1,200 years-had been intensified by 15 to 20 percent by global warming. They also said the odds of similar droughts happening in the future had roughly doubled over the past century. And in 2016, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine announced that we can now confidently attribute some extreme weather events, like heat waves, droughts, and heavy precipitation, directly to climate change.

The impacts of global warming are being felt everywhere. Extreme heat waves have caused tens of thousands of deaths around the world in recent years. And in an alarming sign of events to come, Antarctica has lost nearly four trillion metric tons of ice since the 1990s. The rate of loss could speed up if we keep burning fossil fuels at our current pace, some experts say, causing sea levels to rise several meters in the next 50 to 150 years and wreaking havoc on coastal communities worldwide.

What are the other effects of global warming?

A: Each year scientists learn more about the consequences of global warming, and each year we also gain new evidence of its devastating impact on people and the planet. As the heat waves, droughts, and floods associated with climate change become more frequent and more intense, communities suffer and death tolls rise. If we're unable to reduce our emissions, scientists believe that climate change could lead to the deaths of more than 250,000 people around the globe every year and force 100 million people into poverty by 2030.

Global warming is already taking a toll on the United States. And if we aren't able to get a handle on our emissions, here's just a smattering of what we can look forward to:

Disappearing glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages and continue to increase the risk of wildfires in the American West.

Rising sea levels will lead to even more coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard, especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.

Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy downpours, and increased flooding. All of these can damage or destroy agriculture and fisheries.

Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and animal species to extinction.

Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more common due to increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and mosquitoes.

Though everyone is affected by climate change, not everyone is affected equally. Indigenous people, people of color, and the economically marginalized are typically hit the hardest. Inequities built into our housing, health care, and labor systems make these communities more vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change-even though these same communities have done the least to contribute to it.

Where does the United States stand in terms of global-warming contributors?

A: In recent years, China has taken the lead in global-warming pollution, producing about 26 percent of all CO2 emissions. The United States comes in second. Despite making up just 4 percent of the world's population, our nation produces a sobering 13 percent of all global CO2 emissions-nearly as much as the European Union and India (third and fourth place) combined. And America is still number one, by far, in cumulative emissions over the past 150 years. As a top contributor to global warming, the United States has an obligation to help propel the world to a cleaner, safer, and more equitable future. Our responsibility matters to other countries, and it should matter to us, too.

Is the United States doing anything to prevent global warming?

A: We've started. But in order to avoid the worsening effects of climate change, we need to do a lot more-together with other countries-to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and transition to clean energy sources.

Despite the lack of cooperation from the Trump administration, local and state governments made great strides during this period through efforts like the American Cities Climate Challenge and ongoing collaborations like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Meanwhile, industry and business leaders have been working with the public sector, creating and adopting new clean-energy technologies and increasing energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and industrial processes. Today the American automotive industry is finding new ways to produce cars and trucks that are more fuel efficient and is committing itself to putting more and more zero-emission electric vehicles on the road. Developers, cities, and community advocates are coming together to make sure that new affordable housing is built with efficiency in mind, reducing energy consumption and lowering electric and heating bills for residents. And renewable energy continues to surge as the costs associated with its production and distribution keep falling. In 2020 renewable energy sources such as wind and solar provided more electricity than coal for the very first time in U.S. history.

Is global warming too big a problem for me to help tackle?

A: No! While we can't win the fight without large-scale government action at the national level, we also can't do it without the help of individuals who are willing to use their voices, hold government and industry leaders to account, and make changes in their daily habits.

Wondering how you can be a part of the fight against global warming? Reduce your own carbon footprint by taking a few easy steps: Make conserving energy a part of your daily routine and your decisions as a consumer. When you shop for new appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers, look for products with the government's ENERGY STAR ® label; they meet a higher standard for energy efficiency than the minimum federal requirements. When you buy a car, look for one with the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions. You can also reduce your emissions by taking public transportation or carpooling when possible.

And while new federal and state standards are a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done. Voice your support of climate-friendly and climate change preparedness policies, and tell your representatives that equitably transitioning from dirty fossil fuels to clean power should be a top priority-because it's vital to building healthy, more secure communities.

You don't have to go it alone, either. Movements across the country are showing how climate action can build community, be led by those on the front lines of its impacts, and create a future that's equitable and just for all.

This story was originally published on March 11, 2016 and has been updated with new information and links.

This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as grammar); you can't resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you can't republish our material wholesale or automatically-you need to select stories individually; you can't republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should to let us know when you've used one of our stories.

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What is global warming? Global warming causes, effects, extreme weather, facts, and relation to climate change.

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How climate change could affect the future of the FIFA World Cup

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3. Winter Olympic Games (2010)

Record high January temperatures in the host city of Vancouver, Canada, meant that organizers had to transport snow to venues by helicopter and truck and use dry ice to stop snow from melting. This affected the conditions for athletes and contributed further to the Games' carbon footprint.

Subsequent Games have had similar issues.

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How climate change could affect the future of the FIFA World Cup

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Leading experts highlight the unpredictable impacts of increased heat, pollution, rainfall, and more on the men's and women's World Cups.

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The causes, effects and complexities of global warming are important to understand so that we can fight for the health of our planet.

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Climate change impacts the world's water in complex ways. Consider a water cycle diagram, like the one below; global warming is altering nearly every stage in the diagram. These changes will put pressure on drinking water supplies, food production, property values, and more, in the U.S. and all around the world.

In fact, "most of the climate change impacts come down to water," says Upmanu Lall, director of the Columbia Water Center. When people talk about climate change affecting agricultural output, sea level rise, wildfires and extreme weather - "they're all essentially a water story," says Lall.
Evaporation
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cool air. As a result, in a warmer world, the air will suck up more water from oceans, lakes, soil and plants. The drier conditions this air leaves behind could negatively affect drinking water supplies and agriculture.

On the flip side, the warmer, wetter air could also endanger human lives. A study out of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found that higher humidity will make future higher temperatures unbearable in some places, by blocking the cooling effects of our sweat.
Precipitation
When all that extra warm, extra wet air cools down, it drops extra rain or snow to the ground. Thus, a warmer world means we get hit with heavier rain and snowstorms. The northeastern U.S. is so far seeing the largest increase in the intensity and frequency of heavy precipitation events. And in the Central U.S., clusters of thunderstorms have been becoming more frequent and dropping more precipitation since 1979.

By changing air temperatures and circulation patterns, climate change will also change where precipitation falls. Some areas - such as the American West, Southwest, and Southeast - are expected to get drier. Meanwhile, the northern parts of the U.S. and the Midwest are expected to get wetter. These precipitation projections are already becoming reality.

The Southwest, southern Great Plains, and Southeast are predicted to see more intense and prolonged droughts, according to the National Climate Assessment. And most of the rest of the country is at risk of experiencing more severe short-term droughts, too. Researchers within the Earth Institute have found that climate change may already have exacerbated past and present droughts, and that drier conditions are making wildfires worse.

"The drought scenario could be mitigated by having more water storage in dams, which nobody's working on," Lall pointed out, "or in groundwater, which is being discussed in some places but is not that easy to do for large quantities of water."

Changes in precipitation patterns will challenge many farmers, as well as natural ecosystems. Scientists at Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society are creating tools and strategies to help farmers adapt to these challenges. Natural ecosystems, however, may not be able to adapt as quickly.
Surface Runoff and Stream Flow
The heavier bursts of precipitation caused by warmer, wetter air can lead to flooding, which can of course endanger human lives, damage homes, kill crops, and hurt the economy.

The America's Water initiative at the Columbia Water Center has been working to identify the specific causes of catastrophic flooding, in order to more accurately predict them, to save lives and property. The project also made projections about how flooding will change as the world continues to warm. "On the action side, we looked at what structures like dams and levees need to be refurbished, and what zoning changes need to be done so that people are out of harm's way?" said Lall.

Heavier rainstorms will also increase surface runoff - the water that flows over the ground after a storm. This moving water may strip nutrients from the soil and pick up pollutants, dirt, and other undesirables, flushing them into nearby bodies of water. Those contaminants may muck up our water supplies and make it more expensive to clean the water to drinking standards. The National Climate Assessment finds that water quality is already diminishing in many parts of the U.S, "particularly due to increasing sediment and contaminant concentrations after heavy downpours."

In addition, as runoff dumps sediments and other contaminants into lakes and streams, it could harm fish and other wildlife. Fertilizer runoff can cause algae blooms that ultimately end up suffocating aquatic critters and causing a stinky mess. The problem is compounded by warming water, which can't hold as much of the dissolved oxygen that fish need to survive. These conditions could harm fisheries, and make conditions unpleasant for folks who like to use lakes and streams for fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities.

Researchers within the Earth Institute at Columbia University are finding that green infrastructure, such as parks, wetlands, and other green areas, can help to absorb runoff and filter out its contaminants. These work on a small scale with everyday storms, although Lall notes they aren't much help when it comes to floods.
Oceans
Warmer temperatures and increasing acidity are making life difficult for sea creatures. These changes are transforming food chains from the bottom-up. In addition, many fish are moving poleward in search of cooler waters, which has implications for the fishing industry and people who like to eat fish.

Temperature changes also have the potential to alter major ocean currents. Because ocean temperatures drive atmospheric circulation patterns, this could change weather patterns all over the world. Climate scientist Richard Seager from Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory has found that higher ocean surface temperatures could make rainfall more variable, and thus less predictable, from year to year.

And of course, as ice sheets and mountaintop glaciers melt, they're dumping extra water into the oceans; the resulting sea level rise jeopardizes coastal properties around the world.
Snowpack
Ordinarily, as winter snowpack melts in the springtime, it slowly adds fresh water to rivers and streams and helps to replenish drinking water supplies.

However, as the air warms, many areas are receiving more of their precipitation as rain rather than snow. This means less water is being stored for later as snowpack. In addition, the rain actually accelerates the melting of snow that's already on the ground.

The lack of snowpack can lead to drier conditions later in the year, which can be bad news for regions that rely on snowmelt to refill their drinking water supplies. In California, for example, declines in snowpack have contributed to long-term drought and water shortages. At the same time, as the rains come faster rather than slowly melting from snow, California's ability to control floods is decreasing.

Changes in snowpack can also negatively impact wildlife and income from skiing and winter tourism.
Clouds
A study last year out of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found that increasing summer heat is driving off California's morning clouds. This lack of clouds allows more sunlight to strike the ground, raising temperatures further, exacerbating drying and the risk of wildfires.
Changes in Water Demand
In addition to changing the water cycle, climate change could change how we use water and how much we need. Higher temperatures and evaporation rates could increase the demand for water in many areas.

Water Stress

These changes in water supply, demand, and quality will "exacerbate our current problem," says Lall, "which is that we have aging water infrastructure across the country that is failing, and we simply do not have the capacity to deal with even historical variation, let alone what people are projecting for the future."

Climate change will make water shortages more likely in parts of the U.S., particularly the southern U.S. and the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

An estimated 1.6 million Americans already don't have regular access to safe drinking water. A study out of Michigan State University found that, because of climate change, aging infrastructure and other factors, up to 40.9 million American households may not be able to afford water and wastewater services in 2022.

A recent study from Harvard projects that by 2071, nearly half of the 204 fresh water basins in the United States may not be able to meet their monthly water demand. This is due in part to growing populations, but also because of the effects of climate change. Around 50 years from now, the study found, many U.S. regions may see their water supplies reduced by a third of their current size, while demand continues to increase. The authors warn this could pose serious challenges for agriculture.

What Can Be Done

Work from the Columbia Water Center could help municipalities to meet the challenges of the future; the America's Water project has been examining how water can be allocated to prevent shortages, and where more water storage is needed to withstand future droughts.

To make these calculations, the Columbia Water Center teamed up with folks from Lamont-Doherty, using tree ring data to reconstruct droughts and floods from the last 700 years in all the major river basins in the U.S. In the process, they learned that in the 1300s and 1400s, the U.S. experienced droughts far more severe and widespread than anything we've seen in modern times.

"The reason for going back 700 years is that, whether or not people believe in future climate change projections, this is something that has happened, and so we should prepare for it in case it happens again," Lall explained.

Whereas climate models always have some degree of uncertainty, he continued, with historical data, "it's easier to convince people that, for example, if you remove some of the dams on the Colorado River, there's really just no ability to meet even the more modest older droughts."

Lall's team built an open-source optimization model which allows anyone to investigate and explore different scenarios for water supply and demand in their own watershed. This tool can help to identify which crops would grow best under certain water regimes, or how adding renewable energy will affect the water supply.

Increasing water storage, making irrigation systems more efficient, and making sure crops are appropriate for the local climate are a few ways municipalities can help to stave off water stress. Wind and solar power projects can help, too, because they use less water than traditional power plants.

There are also things that the rest of us can do to help conserve water, like fixing leaky plumbing, taking shorter showers, watering the lawn less often, and avoiding foods that require a lot of water. For example, it requires 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.

Lall also suggests that people learn more about how climate change is going to affect the water in their own region, and start taking action locally.

"In the process, you discover that your water system is inadequate to meet the challenges of climate change," said Lall. "You will discover that the rivers that you go fishing in and jetskiing and things like that, they're likely to become stinky swamps. Once you go through this discovery process, then it becomes much more tangible to get action at a local level, and start changing things from the bottom-up."

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Climate change disrupts the water cycle in ways that could profoundly alter how we live our lives.

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KEY CONCEPTS

As the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar, climate change has become an integral part of the tournament.

Soccer players, fans, and outdoor workers face rising risks from exposure to extreme heat and humid heat.

Competition organizers, players' unions, and teams are taking steps to reduce risks to player health and performance during extremely hot weather.

FIFA is also tracking emissions related to World Cup tournaments, with plans in place to offset record-high emissions during the 2022 World Cup.

Soccer in a warming world

Extreme heat and humidity. Shifting rainfall patterns. More sunny-day flooding. Air quality worsened by carbon pollution or wildfire smoke. These are all among the climate-related risks that soccer players, fans, facilities, and competitions now face, according to the governing body of world soccer, international players' unions, and a growing number of scientific studies.

As the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar, climate change has become an integral part of the tournament-from its timing and location, to new heat-related health and safety regulations, and the efforts of organizers to track and offset the event's heat-trapping emissions.

Footballers feeling the heat (and humidity)

Global temperatures have climbed quickly since the first World Cup tournament in 1930. As warming has intensified, the world's most popular sport is feeling the heat.

Among the primary concerns is the health, safety, and performance of athletes and on-field officials in extreme heat and humid heat -conditions that are likely to occur more frequently as global temperatures continue to rise.

In extremely hot weather, our bodies' main cooling mechanism (sweating) may not cool us enough to prevent overheating. And when the relative humidity is above 60%, sweat evaporates more slowly, preventing quick cooling. These conditions can overwhelm the body's temperature control system and lead to heat stress and illness ranging from heat exhaustion to heat stroke, hyperthermia, dehydration, and cramps.

Athletes face high risk of heat-related illness because the body produces 15 to 20 times more heat while exercising. Outdoor play and the limited number of substitutes allowed during matches can compound the heat-related risks to soccer players' health and performance. A 2012 study found that soccer player body temperatures can rise by nearly 2°F in extreme heat compared to mild conditions, leading to dehydration and hyperthermia.

Heat competing with global competitions

Instances of soccer players suffering heat-related illness in recent years have been reported by FIFPRO, the international players' union. In 2021, the final match of the women's Olympic soccer tournament was delayed 10 hours due to extreme humid heat in Tokyo and related concern for player safety.

The 2022 World Cup location presents additional heat risks. A 2020 study indicates that the region around Qatar currently experiences some of the most extreme humid heat on the planet. And with continued warming, the Persian Gulf is projected to become a global hotspot for serious and life-threatening humid heat levels.

Heat-related risks to athlete health and performance will continue to be a concern for global sporting events hosted in relatively warm climates such as in Australia (2023 FIFA Women's World Cup), heat wave-prone parts of Europe (2024 Summer Olympics), and in parts of Mexico, the U.S., and Canada (2026 FIFA World Cup).

Heat risks faced by global events extend to national-level competitions and training in soccer and other outdoor sports. The warming stripes for each of the 32 countries competing in the 2022 World Cup illustrate the rapid warming on the home turf of each of the world's elite soccer teams.

Humidity multiplies heat-related risks

The warming stripes only show temperature and therefore don't reflect the additional risks from high humidity, which limits the body's ability to cool itself through sweating. The effects of humid heat were seen in high rates of heat-related illness among athletes during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 when temperatures averaged 90°F and were coupled with high humidity.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends canceling practice or competition when a humid heat metric called the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) exceeds 90°F for acclimatized, fit, low-risk individuals (or 86-90°F for non-acclimatized or high-risk individuals).

Watching and working in extreme heat

As the biggest stage for the world's most popular sport, the 2022 World Cup is expected to draw over one million spectators from around the globe. During extreme heat, spectators can also face health risks-especially those in vulnerable groups such as children and older adults, or those traveling from cooler regions who may not be acclimated to local conditions.

Hosting an event such as the World Cup also requires years of effort from thousands of workers, many of whom work outdoors constructing stadiums, housing, and other facilities. Outdoor workers face elevated health risks in extreme heat-a frequent occurrence in Qatar, which is one of the hottest and fastest-warming places on the planet.

Recent analysis by the UN's International Labour Organization indicates that outdoor workers in Qatar face occupational heat stress during at least four months of the year, which may have contributed to mortality rates among migrant workers in Qatar in recent years.

Reducing risks and adapting to change

Organizers of major sporting events are taking measures to reduce the serious health and safety risks to athletes, spectators, and outdoor workers in our warming world.

Guidelines for athletes and workers: Rising temperatures call for science-based health and safety guidelines designed to reduce risks. For elite athletes, the International Olympic Committee recommends a set of unified regulations for sporting events during heat. For outdoor workers, the United Nations recommends labor standards and mitigation measures to reduce exposure to harmful conditions as temperatures rise.

Heat-triggered breaks: In World Cup soccer, FIFA introduced water breaks for the first time in 2014-now requiring water and cooling breaks around the 30th and 75th minute of matches when the WBGT reaches 89.6°F. The FIFPRO union seeks more frequent breaks starting at lower WBGT levels to further reduce risks to player health and performance. Extending half-time breaks in soccer by five minutes has been shown to further reduce core temperatures.

Rescheduling to reduce risk: Qatar's extreme summer heat also led FIFA to reschedule the 2022 World Cup to November and December-a first in the tournament's 89-year history. If the 2022 World Cup had taken place in June and July as is typical, players, spectators and workers would have experienced 50-70% more hours with WBGT above 86°F, and 15-23% more hours with WBGT exceeding 89.6°F than during November and December.

Shading, misting, icing, air conditioning: Competition organizers rely on an expanding set of approaches to reduce heat exposure. The 2022 World Cup's energy-intensive air conditioned stadiums are designed to regulate ambient temperatures and reduce harmful heat exposure on the pitch and in the stands.

Training for the heat: Soccer teams have also taken measures to reduce player risk. For example, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the U.S. women's soccer team trained in high heat to help players acclimate to conditions expected in Tokyo.

Football's carbon footprint

Major events like the World Cup also require a lot of energy, materials, and transport. As a result, these events cause their own heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions.

FIFA anticipates that all activities relating to the 2022 World Cup (from 2011 to 2023) will emit about 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents-equal to the annual emissions from over 775,000 gasoline-powered cars, according to the EPA. That's also more than a 70% increase relative to the 2018 World Cup, and the highest FIFA-reported World Cup emissions since reporting began in 2010.

The largest shares of heat-trapping emissions from the 2022 World Cup are expected to come from travel (52%, primarily from international air travel), infrastructure construction and operation (24%), and accommodations (20%).

Despite record-high emissions, FIFA has committed to making the 2022 World Cup the first carbon-neutral tournament-a goal that will rely heavily on carbon offsetting. But independent analysis by Carbon Market Watch suggests that FIFA's accounting approach may underestimate emissions from stadium-building, and further questions the efficacy of the tournament's carbon offsetting plans.

Reducing football's carbon footprint will continue to be a priority in the coming decades. In 2018, FIFA signed on to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework to reduce FIFA's emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2040. The FIFA Climate Strategy outlines plans to reach these goals.

POTENTIAL LOCAL STORY ANGLES

How is climate change impacting temperatures at the World Cup today?

Climate Central's Global Climate Shift Index ™ map tool shows the influence of climate change on daily temperatures around the globe. Use the tool to see how much climate change is influencing the temperatures that soccer players, fans, and outdoor workers are experiencing at the World Cup in Qatar today.

How are other climate-related flood risks affecting soccer around the world?

Climate Central's Picturing Our Future tool visualizes how sea level rise could transform 190 sites around the world with different levels of warming. Explore visualizations for soccer stadiums in Recife and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, home of the most successful national team in the history of the World Cup, or search for sites in upcoming World Cup host countries.

LOCAL EXPERTS

The SciLine service, 500 Women Scientists or the press offices of local universities may be able to connect you with local scientists who have expertise on heat-related risks and climate change. The American Association of State Climatologists is a professional scientific organization composed of all state climatologists.

NATIONAL EXPERTS

A recording of Columbia University's recent Soccer in a Warming World Workshop, hosted by Samantha Mewis and Dr. Maureen Raymo, is now available to view. Watch to learn more about the impacts of climate change on soccer players and competitions around the world.

Robert Huggins, PhD
Associate Research Professor, Department of Kinesiology
University of Connecticut
Contact: robert.huggins@uconn.edu
Related expertise: Exertional heat stroke, body cooling

Jessica R. Murfree, PhD
ACES Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University
Contact: jessicamurfree@tamu.edu
Related expertise: Climate and extreme weather in sport

Gilles Dufrasne
Lead on Global Carbon Markets
Carbon Market Watch
Contact: gilles.dufrasne@carbonmarketwatch.org
Related expertise: Emissions accounting and offsetting
*Available for interviews in English, French, and Spanish

METHODOLOGY

The Warming Stripes design was conceived by Ed Hawkins, as described here. Date ranges and data sources for each country's warming stripes are available at showyourstripes.info.

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As the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar, climate change has become an integral part of the world's most popular sport.

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Restoring tropical forests - Football for Forests

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Restoring tropical forests - Football for Forests

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Restoring tropical forestsone football pitch at a time You turn this Into this Through this Our missionGlobal forests are disappearing. Every minute an area of forest equivalent to 17 football pitches is lost. That is around 1,500 pitches of destruction in the duration of a single football match.Football for Forests (F4F) is helping turn this […]

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FIFA World Cup: With climate change, will there still be a soccer World Cup in 2100?

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Many major sports gatherings have been rocked by extreme weather events in recent years. A typhoon forced the postponement of several matches during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The air became unbreathable during the 2020 Australian Tennis Open because of bush fires. The Olympic Marathon was relocated further north to escape the oppressive heat in Tokyo. And the situation is similar for the Winter Olympics, whose future is uncertain.

The soccer world won't be spared.

Beginning on Nov. 20, the best national teams, including Canada's, will gather in Qatar to compete in the 22 th edition of the soccer World Cup. For the first time in its history, the event - which has been the target of social and environmental criticism - will be held at the end of autumn due to the high temperatures that affect the country during the summer, and which could affect the health of spectators and athletes.

Will there still be a soccer World Cup in 2100? What impact is pollution having on player performance? Will we have to choose between our love of soccer and the fight against climate change?

As researchers in physical activity sciences, we are proposing to shed some light on the impacts of climate change on the future of soccer.

Soccer: Victim of, or contributor to climate change?

The combination of historical data and current emission scenarios reveals that rising sea levels, intensified heat waves, increased risk of megafires, floods and deteriorating air quality all pose major threats to both amateur and professional soccer. However, soccer is not just a victim of climate change. It is also a significant contributor to it, as demonstrated by the annual carbon footprint of Premier League (English Football Championship) players, estimated at 29 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent - and that is just for the travel entailed.

This is nearly three times the annual carbon footprint of UK citizens, and far exceeds the global target of two tonnes per person, set to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement (COP21).

Heat, weather and flooding: What are the impacts on the practice?

In the short term, the concerns are mainly about low air quality and heat, which could affect the health of spectators, sports workers and athletes, as well as their performance. Some sports associations such as Major League Soccer (MLS) or Alberta Soccer in Canada have already established safety thresholds to regulate holding events during hot weather events and pollution peaks.

Since it is estimated that these conditions will become more frequent in the near future (the mercury is expected to exceed 30°C on more than 50 days per year in several Canadian cities, including Montreal and Toronto, by 2050-2080), it is possible to estimate a greater number of postponements and cancellations of practices and games. There is also the potential impact of fires on infrastructure and the deterioration of natural grass fields due to drought and summer watering restrictions. These fields could also be affected by increasingly harsh winter conditions.

A 2013 study in England already reported a loss of three to 13 weeks of use of some natural pitches due to more intense rainfall. In the longer term, rising oceans and more frequent flooding are likely to pose a temporary or permanent threat to clubs' operations, jeopardizing the future of soccer in some parts of the world if greenhouse gas emissions follow their current trend.

According to a report based on modelling, by 2016 the stadiums of 23 professional teams in England could face partial or total flooding in every season. Such events have already occurred in Montpellier, France (2014) and Carlisle, England (2015), rendering the grounds unusable for several months.

In some contexts, synthetic fields offer an interesting alternative when a natural field is unavailable or too degraded; moreover, they can be used over a longer period of the year. However, data show that these fields are prone to create heat islands, with a surface temperature that can be 12°C to 22°C higher than the temperature of a natural grass. This level of temperature increases the heat stress experienced by athletes and, therefore, augments risks to their health and performance. The same is true for the health of referees, coaches and audience members.

Impacts on player health and performance

Air pollution negatively impacts the quantity and quality of passes, distance travelled and high intensity efforts of professional players. Peak pollution could even drastically reduce the number of goals scored during games.

There is empirical evidence observed for several decades that the chances of winning are higher when playing at home. In a polluted city, this increase is accentuated when the opposing team comes from a less polluted city. Why? Because the host team is used to a higher average air pollution, and therefore its performance is less affected.

Heat and dehydration can also affect the performance of the athletes and, consequently, the quality of the games and the show offered. Yet, analyses of the 2014 World Cup matches in Brazil suggest that the quality of play was not affected by the oppressive heat. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously, as elite athletes generally tolerate heat and dehydration better than untrained individuals.

So, it is possible that amateur athletes, or older players with specific health conditions will experience more adverse health and effects on their performance.

Urgent need for change: From reactive to proactive

With its scale and ability to reach a wide audience, soccer can play a major role in the current ecological transition, including through climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was one of the first international sports federations to commit to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, by developing its own climate strategy. Concretely, FIFA has established several initiatives that revolve around three main objectives: 1) making soccer ready for climate action; 2) protecting iconic tournaments from the negative impacts of climate change; and 3) ensuring the development of resilient soccer.

In the wake of this, in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on its operations, the soccer world will very quickly have to move from a reactive to a proactive approach, by putting actions in place:

Banning fossil fuel sponsors;

Reorganizing competitions to reduce travel for athletes and fans by requiring national professional leagues to recommend train travel for short trips;

Encouraging public or shared transportation for fans and amateur athletes;

Reducing the vulnerability of players and spectators by adapting regulations and activities: More frequent training breaks, possibility of making more changes during games, revision of the rules concerning the duration of games in case of a tie, moving games to cooler times of the day.

Since soccer is not the only sport that is both a victim of, and an actor in climate change, urgent action by the sporting community as a whole is needed to continue to play safely and enjoyably.

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FIFA World Cup: With climate change, will there still be a soccer World Cup in 2100?

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As the FIFA World Cup kicks off, researchers take a look at the impact of climate change on the future of soccer.

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Sponsor bans, fewer games, more regulation: How football can be more sustainable

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This how football can be more sustainable

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This how football can be more sustainable

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As football continues to expand, so does its impact on the climate.

From sponsorships with fossil fuel giants to tournaments played across multiple continents, the growth of the game appears to be impossible to reconcile with targets to reduce emissions or reach net zero goals.

Clubs are not oblivious to the problems. Many in England have hired heads of sustainability or formalised the role, and the issue is also being brought into focus more and more by players, supporters and club staff.

Football, which is increasingly threatened by human-induced climate change, has the potential to play a major role in tackling problems relating to the climate crisis, both through reducing its own impact and encouraging behavioural change in supporters. Its platform is unique and it has a vast reach.

But what can the industry do to become more sustainable? The Athletic spoke to several prominent campaigners for their solutions.

What can clubs do?
Frank Huisingh
Founder of Fossil Free Football, a campaign group trying to remove fossil fuel sponsorship from football
End deals with polluting sponsors - fossil fuel companies, airlines, car companies that are focused on fossil fuel cars, or cruise companies. Cryptocurrency is not only risky, but also very polluting.

That's the first step to becoming credible and legitimate - fans are smart and see it when you flout your climate credentials. If you do good things around the stadium, but you still advertise Etihad or Emirates, fans see those inconsistencies.
Katie Cross
Founder of Pledgeball, a research-proven charity that engages people around environmental sustainability
At some point, clubs stopped tobacco sponsorship contracts. Now it's time to end the contracts with big polluters.

The largest contribution to emissions comes from travel. Clubs should work with fans to identify the barriers to taking more sustainable forms of transport to games - for example, putting on subsidised transport, and talking with councils and public transport providers to facilitate it.

Providing the infrastructure to enable fans to make those decisions will massively cut clubs' emissions and have a legacy outside of football.
Freddie Daley
Academic at the University of Sussex, who runs the Cool Down Sport for Climate Action Network
Food is one of the biggest emitters from clubs, so they should be normalising non-meat-based options on the menu and making sure it is discounted where possible.
Elliot Arthur-Worsop
Founder of Football For Future, a football sustainability charity
With procurement, it's about ensuring they benefit the local community by sourcing things locally and trying to work with utility providers to support fans in the cost of living crisis and also ensuring greener energy supplies.

A more comprehensive exploration of travel. Examine whether teams need to fly between games and charter their own jets. Reducing reliance on air travel will have immediate emissions reductions.

Clubs can also look at what sort of lighting they use for the stadium and training grounds and consider introducing heat pumps and better insulation to reduce energy usage. That could be extended to trying to procure renewable energy tariffs and even some onsite energy generation if possible.

Clubs need to partner with environmental experts. At the very least, they should be signing up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Founder of sustainable football boot company Sokito
Collectively, their voices will be very powerful if they want to make demands from the UK government. Clubs are going to struggle to meet their net-zero targets if the government does not step in and support them, for example, by subsidising public transport.

They should be communicating climate change through football, letting people know how climate change actually puts football at risk, whether through extreme heat, excessive rainfall or sea level rise, air pollution from megacities or forest fires.
Jessie Fleming
Chelsea and Canada midfielder working with Football for Future and Common Goal
Staff training is really important. A club can do an audit and announce a strategy but if they don't have a culture of willingness and internal buy-in then it won't get them anywhere.

Climate can be very abstract and can feel quite alien in football so it's important that when clubs do engage they do it in a creative way so that the story of environmental sustainability, conservation or climate action is tied to the local area or the identity of the club.

The three big things are travel, energy and food. Can clubs power with more renewables? How do players and fans travel? And what sort of food do they consume?

If people could eat one plant-based meal more a week initially, it would definitely help. Then, could they take public transport, walk, cycle or car share? Clubs could put on more sustainable travel options. The club and players have a responsibility in how they conduct themselves, and that in itself is a really big issue, because they have to consider performance. So it's similar to when we develop a shoe and we consider performance and impact on the planet, they have to do the same.

They need to track more data and get a better understanding of what causes the most emissions. What foods are fans eating, what are the beer cups made from at the stadium, what happens to them after the game, how are fans getting there?

Then you have the day-to-day functioning at a training ground - how was the energy provided to fuel your training ground, where are you sourcing your food from and what are you doing to create a more biodiverse environment?

They can also think about kits. At some point, clubs can say, "We're going to do two years of this home kit" instead of continuously putting out different kits. There is low-hanging fruit that is realistic in the short term.

A lot of emissions are due to travel and, as a player, that's something that I've had to internally reckon with because you feel like a hypocrite travelling on a plane every few weeks. In the men's game, you see it probably every week.

What about governing bodies?

Frank Huisingh: A sponsor policy. UEFA, FIFA, but also national associations can follow the example of a tobacco advertising ban and install an ad ban for polluting sponsors. Everything that is very clearly run on fossil fuels.

FIFA and UEFA are adding more tournaments and matches but they should reorganise the football calendar in a way that reduces emissions. So a smaller football calendar that is also more regional.

With the European Championship in Germany next year, they have made an effort to get fans around on trains by working with Interrail. We should do that in European club football. But the only way to make it possible is to reorganise the football calendar, because going from Brighton to Istanbul by train isn't going to work.

Katie Cross: Football needs governance. If the independent regulator can bring this into governance then clubs will start to put sustainability budgets aside and we'll be able to address it properly.

Controversially, there could be a player pay cap, or a cap on the amount that you can spend on players. That means, commercially, people aren't always considering partners simply based on the money that they offer. Maybe it would open the door for partners who are more aligned with sustainability targets but don't have the same marketing budget as an oil giant.

Freddie Daley: UEFA and FIFA can stop their incessant expansion. There's no sustainable way to continue growing the game internationally. These things are not currently compatible or permissible under some of the commitments that these governing bodies have made. How can they deliver net zero by 2040 when the 2030 World Cup is across three continents?

Governing bodies have a responsibility to incorporate emissions that arise from fans. FIFA and UEFA continue to stick their heads in the sand, claiming that those emissions are not their responsibility. They need to at least start measuring that and then ameliorate it.

They should prioritise data collection and dissemination so every club, all the way down the footballing pyramid, can take cost-effective and immediate steps to cut emissions.

Jake Hardy: Governing bodies need to get to grips with financial sustainability. They need to kickstart transparent discussions about a responsible game that looks after players and the planet.

Jessie Fleming: There are certain realities of professional football where you're going to have to fly to different countries, but the men's World Cup in 2030 has six countries as host nations. That is avoidable. So how are governing bodies looking at tournaments and how is sustainability being brought into consideration? Because when you see that, it doesn't really seem like it's a very important factor.

They also have the power to set standards that nations and clubs are forced to abide by, much like the government has the power to dictate its states.

What about governments?

Frank Huisingh: The European Union, United Nations and World Health Organisation played a role in the tobacco advertising ban and we need governments to ban polluting advertisements. It's happening in local government and to a certain extent in national government as well. That will have an impact on football's ability to promote polluting products.

When we look at what is happening with FIFA and the deals they strike with Saudi Arabia, it's problematic from a human rights perspective. But this is more a question of maybe how national governments relate to national FAs.

It should be clear to football that there cannot be an exception for climate action. Every industry is moving so they should expect football to make emission reduction plans in line with other sectors. Globally, we need a 50 per cent reduction of emissions by 2030. Governments need to tell football bodies that their current plans for more matches are not acceptable.

Katie Cross: They need to overtake Sport England (which is tying how much sports are doing to fight climate change with the funding they receive) and be more ambitious, but do it in a way that is supportive to clubs, ensuring that they put money aside to address sustainability. It's not done properly and it's also not part of some of the core pillars. Often, if a club gets relegated, the individual who is driving it leaves.

The government needs to introduce regulations. That way, sustainability will become a key part of clubs' strategies and they'll start putting budgets towards it. That's not happening at the moment. There are so many commercial benefits to authentically addressing sustainability. But the evidence isn't sufficient for them to prioritise that.

Freddie Daley: Governments have not been proactive in regulating football in terms of sustainability, but the introduction of the independent regulator in the UK could see this change. They could mandate that alongside meeting financial sustainability, clubs must prioritise environmental sustainability. This could be implemented by introducing standardised forms of reporting, creating more transparency over what clubs are doing (and how they are measuring it) and allowing cross-club comparisons to be made.

They could explore improving transport around matchdays and key tournaments. As one of the largest chunks of the emissions associated with elite football, better coordination between national, local government and football clubs could be a really powerful catalyst for improving low-carbon transport options and addressing issues such as air pollution.
(Top photos: iStock; Joma Garcia I Gisbert/Belga Mag/ AFP via Getty Images; design: Samuel Richardson)
I've heard from some clubs that have tried to introduce free or subsidised public transport on game days have come up against a variety of challenges. Identifying those challenges and navigating them is crucial.

Elliot Arthur-Worsop: Governments are in a unique position. They have the ability to establish a sustainable baseline in the game by phasing in legislation that defines environmental standards around carbon, sponsorships, waste management, education and more, from grassroots to the elite game.

They can invest in, or provide grants for, sustainable sports infrastructure at all levels, while promoting environmentally friendly transportation options for fans. Subsidised public transport could save immense amounts of carbon, enhance fan experience, make matchday travel cheaper and more convenient, and open up the country to further domestic opportunities.

Jessie Fleming: It's a bit more difficult for governments because of all the other things that they have to deal with, but they do provide different initiatives. Whether that's to set up solar power, or wind turbines, other green energy or research into alternative materials.

Clubs have the opportunity to take advantage of incentives. But we're also talking about multi-million, sometimes billion-dollar companies and that's where I have a hard time when these clubs can't justify investing in more sustainable practices. I'm sure the public would agree.

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Sponsor bans, fewer games, more regulation: How football can be more sustainable

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Our expert panel answer the big question of how football can take sustainability more seriously

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How Japan's top soccer league is striving to become a climate leader

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The average J. League fan never leaves the house on game day without their uniform, a scarf-shaped towel and perhaps a flag.

But check the bags of some supporters these days and you might find them bringing reusable tumblers, obsolete electronic devices for recycling or even bottles of used cooking oil to the stadium - all in the name of reducing waste and protecting the environment.

It's a sign of changing attitudes among fans, clubs and the league itself as Japanese soccer - and the sports world as a whole - grapples with the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on operations and their own role in global warming.

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How Japan's top soccer league is striving to become a climate leader

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As the league continues to grow, and as climate change wreaks havoc on operations, its quest to bring healthier lifestyles to the Japanese public has expanded into environmental issues.

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Women's World Cup players launch football's biggest climate campaign

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Forty-four Women's World Cup players, led by the Denmark international Sofie Junge Pedersen, have committed to taking climate action over the flights taken to and from Australia and New Zealand for the tournament.

It is the biggest player‑led climate action in football history, with Canada's Jessie Fleming and Italy's Elena Linari also playing a key part in the initiative, which is supported by Common Goal and Football For Future.

Pedersen was the instigator, putting forward the idea to her Denmark and Juventus teammates and, after receiving their support, taking it to Common Goal and Football For Future to help facilitate the idea further, with aims of creating a short-term solution to a bigger problem. The players are donating money to a combination of climate-resilience, and carbon-offsetting and adaptation, initiatives.

"I want to ensure my World Cup experience has a positive environmental legacy," Pedersen said. "Climate change is the biggest issue humanity faces, and I want to be part of the solution. While there are no current sustainable solutions to aviation, as players we are setting an example and taking a tangible step in the right direction."

Pedersen has quickly been able to get a large following from other footballers taking part in the World Cup this year, with Chelsea's Fleming one of them. "This is a topic I feel passionate about, and I hope this action my teammates and I are taking accelerates the climate conversation and sets a precedent for what athletes can do to push for more environmental policies in football," Fleming told the Guardian.

Taking part in the campaign, she said, was an "easy initiative to get excited about because it's a good way of drawing attention to the issue of the carbon footprint associated with these tournaments".

The project not only looks to have a positive effect in regards to the climate as a whole but also to leave a lasting impact on supporters of the World Cup. Fleming said that she hopes the initiative will show fans, especially younger supporters, that football "means using your voice to advocate things that are important for you".

Jessie Fleming of Canada and Chelsea hopes the 2023 Women's World Cup will leave a positive environmental legacy. Photograph: Harriet Lander/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

The campaign was facilitated by Common Goal, the social and environmental collective movement in global football, and Football For Future, the UK-based climate advocacy football not-for-profit organisation. The project relies on a rigorous and scientific methodology to calculate the environmental impact of the players' travel to and from the World Cup, directly referencing each flight's carbon tonnage. The players then donate the money to a combination of climate resilience, carbon offsetting and adaptation initiatives run by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and DanChurchAid.

Fleming said: "One of the biggest things for me is recognising that it's not a perfect solution. There's no real way to replace the environmental impact that travel has but it's a step in a positive direction and I think there needs to be a narrative around it and conversations being had. It is important to acknowledge that this isn't a perfect solution to the carbon footprint."

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Roma's Linari said: "The fact that this is a player-led initiative is inspiring. Like all players, I'm focused on doing the best I can at the World Cup. But I also want to acknowledge that football has an impact on the planet, and most importantly, do something concrete about it. Sharing with people that a 'little' help can be so important for the planet. Together we can change the world."

Common Goal's sustainability and environmental lead, Jérémy Houssin, said: "Common Goal aims to inspire every part of football's ecosystem to collaborate towards an equal and sustainable future. Increasingly the new generation of players, coaches, fans, club owners and football administrators are all looking for ways to integrate environmental action at every level of the sport. We are empowering collective action enabling this to happen, while accelerating the conversation on environment in football."

The players will be supporting three projects through their initiative - WWF's koala project, WWF's coastal project and Uganda's tree-planting project - and urge anyone else interested to contact Common Goal or Football For Future. All donations are being matched by a third party.

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Women's World Cup players launch football's biggest climate campaign

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A project that will take action over flights to Australia and New Zealand is backed by 44 players, including Canada, Denmark and Italy internationals

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How Climate Change Could Affect the Future of the FIFA World Cup

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Insights > Sustainability > How climate change could affect the future of the FIFA World Cup

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How Climate Change Could Affect the Future of the FIFA World Cup

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Leading experts highlight the unpredictable impacts of increased heat, pollution, rainfall, and more on the men’s and women’s World Cups.

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Global warming | Definition, Causes, Effects, Solutions, & Facts

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This is the definition, causes, effects, solutions, & facts of global warming

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This is the definition, causes, effects, solutions, & facts of global warming

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global warming, the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries. Climate scientists have since the mid-20th century gathered detailed observations of various weather phenomena (such as temperatures, precipitation, and storms) and of related influences on climate (such as ocean currents and the atmosphere's chemical composition). These data indicate that Earth's climate has changed over almost every conceivable timescale since the beginning of geologic time and that human activities since at least the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have a growing influence over the pace and extent of present-day climate change.

Giving voice to a growing conviction of most of the scientific community, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), published in 2021, noted that the best estimate of the increase in global average surface temperature between 1850 and 2019 was 1.07 °C (1.9 °F). An IPCC special report produced in 2018 noted that human beings and their activities have been responsible for a worldwide average temperature increase between 0.8 and 1.2 °C (1.4 and 2.2 °F) since preindustrial times, and most of the warming over the second half of the 20th century could be attributed to human activities.

AR6 produced a series of global climate predictions based on modeling five greenhouse gas emission scenarios that accounted for future emissions, mitigation (severity reduction) measures, and uncertainties in the model projections. Some of the main uncertainties include the precise role of feedback processes and the impacts of industrial pollutants known as aerosols, which may offset some warming. The lowest-emissions scenario, which assumed steep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2015, predicted that the global mean surface temperature would increase between 1.0 and 1.8 °C (1.8 and 3.2 °F) by 2100 relative to the 1850-1900 average. This range stood in stark contrast to the highest-emissions scenario, which predicted that the mean surface temperature would rise between 3.3 and 5.7 °C (5.9 and 10.2 °F) by 2100 based on the assumption that greenhouse gas emissions would continue to increase throughout the 21st century. The intermediate-emissions scenario, which assumed that emissions would stabilize by 2050 before declining gradually, projected an increase of between 2.1 and 3.5 °C (3.8 and 6.3 °F) by 2100.

Many climate scientists agree that significant societal, economic, and ecological damage would result if the global average temperature rose by more than 2 °C (3.6 °F) in such a short time. Such damage would include increased extinction of many plant and animal species, shifts in patterns of agriculture, and rising sea levels. By 2015 all but a few national governments had begun the process of instituting carbon reduction plans as part of the Paris Agreement, a treaty designed to help countries keep global warming to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above preindustrial levels in order to avoid the worst of the predicted effects. Whereas authors of the 2018 special report noted that should carbon emissions continue at their present rate, the increase in average near-surface air temperature would reach 1.5 °C sometime between 2030 and 2052, authors of the AR6 report suggested that this threshold would be reached by 2041 at the latest.

The AR6 report also noted that the global average sea level had risen by some 20 cm (7.9 inches) between 1901 and 2018 and that sea level rose faster in the second half of the 20th century than in the first half. It also predicted, again depending on a wide range of scenarios, that the global average sea level would rise by different amounts by 2100 relative to the 1995-2014 average. Under the report's lowest-emission scenario, sea level would rise by 28-55 cm (11-21.7 inches), whereas, under the intermediate emissions scenario, sea level would rise by 44-76 cm (17.3-29.9 inches). The highest-emissions scenario suggested that sea level would rise by 63-101 cm (24.8-39.8 inches) by 2100.

The scenarios referred to above depend mainly on future concentrations of certain trace gases, called greenhouse gases, that have been injected into the lower atmosphere in increasing amounts through the burning of fossil fuels for industry, transportation, and residential uses. Modern global warming is the result of an increase in magnitude of the so-called greenhouse effect, a warming of Earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by the presence of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and other greenhouse gases. In 2014 the IPCC first reported that concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides in the atmosphere surpassed those found in ice cores dating back 800,000 years.

Of all these gases, carbon dioxide is the most important, both for its role in the greenhouse effect and for its role in the human economy. It has been estimated that, at the beginning of the industrial age in the mid-18th century, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were roughly 280 parts per million (ppm). By the end of 2022 they had risen to 419 ppm, and, if fossil fuels continue to be burned at current rates, they are projected to reach 550 ppm by the mid-21st century-essentially, a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations in 300 years.

A vigorous debate is in progress over the extent and seriousness of rising surface temperatures, the effects of past and future warming on human life, and the need for action to reduce future warming and deal with its consequences. This article provides an overview of the scientific background related to the subject of global warming. It considers the causes of rising near-surface air temperatures, the influencing factors, the process of climate research and forecasting, and the possible ecological and social impacts of rising temperatures. For an overview of the public policy developments related to global warming occurring since the mid-20th century, see global warming policy. For a detailed description of Earth's climate, its processes, and the responses of living things to its changing nature, see climate. For additional background on how Earth's climate has changed throughout geologic time, see climatic variation and change. For a full description of Earth's gaseous envelope, within which climate change and global warming occur, see atmosphere.

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Global warming | Definition, Causes, Effects, Solutions, & Facts

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Global warming, the phenomenon of rising average air temperatures near Earth's surface over the past 100 to 200 years. Although Earth's climate has been evolving since the dawn of geologic time, human activities since the Industrial Revolution have a growing influence over the pace and extent of climate change.

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Effects on humans bodies of doing sports in high temperatures

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Effects on humans bodies of doing sports in high temperatures

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Rising sea levels. Raging storms. Searing heat. Ferocious fires. Severe drought. Punishing floods. The effects of climate change are already threatening our health, our communities, our economy, our security, and our children's future.

What can you do? A whole lot, as it turns out. Americans, on average, produce 21 tons of carbon a year, about four times the global average. Personal action is, of course, no substitute for meaningful government policies. We still must limit carbon pollution and aggressively move away from dirty fossil fuels toward cleaner power.

But it's important to remember the equally vital contributions that can be made by private citizens-which is to say, by you. "Change only happens when individuals take action," says clean energy advocate Aliya Haq. "There's no other way, if it doesn't start with people."

Here are a dozen easy, effective ways each one of us can make a difference.

1. Speak up!

What's the single biggest way you can make an impact on global climate change? "Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions," Haq says. By voicing your concerns-via social media or, better yet, directly to your elected officials-you send a message that you care about the warming world. Encourage Congress to enact new laws that limit carbon emissions and require polluters to pay for the emissions they produce. "The main reason elected officials do anything difficult is because their constituents make them," Haq says. You can help protect public lands, stop offshore drilling, and more here.

2. Power your home with renewable energy.

Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from wind or solar and has been certified by Green-e Energy, an organization that vets renewable energy options. If that isn't possible for you, take a look at your electric bill; many utilities now list other ways to support renewable sources on their monthly statements and websites.

3. Weatherize, weatherize, weatherize.

"Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy," Haq says. Indeed, heating and air-conditioning account for almost half of home energy use. You can make your space more energy efficient by sealing drafts and ensuring it's adequately insulated. You can also claim federal tax credits for many energy efficiency home improvements. To help you figure out where to start, you could also get a home energy audit, which some utilities offer free of charge. (Alternatively, you can hire a professional to come to your home and perform one; the Inflation Reduction Act offers a partial tax credit for this.) The EPA's Home Energy Yardstick gives you a simple assessment of your home's annual energy use compared with similar homes.

4. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Since they were first implemented nationally in 1987, efficiency standards for dozens of appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. That's about the same amount as the annual carbon pollution coughed up by nearly 440 million cars. "Energy efficiency is the lowest-cost way to reduce emissions," Haq says. When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, heat pump water heaters, and other appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient. (There may also be rebates to earn from your purchase of Energy Star-certified products.)

And when you're ready to swap out your old machines, don't just put them on the curb: Recycling an old refrigerator through the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal Program can prevent an additional 10,000 pounds of carbon pollution because the global-warming pollutants in the refrigerants and foam would be properly captured rather than vented to the air.

5. Reduce water waste.

Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and switch to WaterSense-labeled fixtures and appliances. The EPA estimates that if just one out of every 100 American homes were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, about 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would be saved-avoiding 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.

6. Actually eat the food you buy-and compost what you can't.

Approximately 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food-about 40 percent of which winds up in the landfill. "If you're wasting less food, you're likely cutting down on energy consumption," Haq says. As for the scraps you can't eat or the leftovers you don't get to, collect them in a compost bin instead of sending them to the landfill where they release methane. Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts.

7. Buy better bulbs.

LED light bulbs use one-sixth the amount of energy to deliver the same amount of light as conventional incandescents and last at least 10 times longer. They're also cheaper in the long run: A 10-watt LED that replaces your traditional 60-watt bulb will save you $125 over the light bulb's life. And because the average American home has around 40 to 50 light bulbs, this is a simple swap that will reap huge rewards. If every household in the United States replaced just one incandescent with an Energy Star-labeled LED, we would prevent seven billion pounds of carbon pollution per year. That's equivalent to the emissions of about 648,000 cars.

8. Pull the plug(s).

Taken together, the outlets in your home are likely powering about 65 devices-an average load for a home in the United States. Audio and video devices, cordless vacuums and power tools, and other electronics use energy even when they're not charging. This "idle load" across all U.S. households adds up to the output of 50 large power plants in the country. So don't leave fully charged devices plugged into your home's outlets, unplug rarely used devices or plug them into power strips and timers, and adjust your computers and monitors to automatically power down to the lowest power mode when not in use.

9. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. And once all cars and light trucks meet 2025's clean car standards, which means averaging 54.5 miles per gallon, they'll be a mainstay. For good reason: Relative to a national fleet of vehicles that averaged only 28.3 miles per gallon in 2011, Americans will spend $80 billion less at the pump each year and cut their automotive emissions by half. Before you buy a new set of wheels, compare fuel-economy performance here.

10. Maintain your ride.

If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated, we could save 1.2 billion gallons of gas each year. A simple tune-up can boost miles per gallon anywhere from 4 percent to 40 percent, and a new air filter can get you a 10 percent boost. Also, remove unnecessary accessories from your car roof. Roof racks and clamshell storage containers can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 5 percent.

11. Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles.

Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the air. Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too. "Air transport is a major source of climate pollution," Haq says. "If you can take a train instead, do that." If you must fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets to counterbalance the hefty carbon pollution associated with flying. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. Do your homework to find the best supplier.

12. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

In the United States, the average person generates 4.5 pounds of trash every day. Fortunately, not all the items we discard end up in landfills; we recycle or compost more than one-third of our trash. In 2014 this saved carbon emissions equivalent to the yearly output of 38 million passenger cars. But we could be doing so much more. "Reduce should always be the number-one priority," says NRDC senior resource specialist Darby Hoover. And to reap the environmental benefits of "recyclable" goods, you must recycle according to the rules of your municipality, since systems vary widely by location. Search your municipality's sanitation department (or equivalent) webpage to learn exactly what you can place in the recycling bin, as counties and cities often differ in what they accept.
This story was originally published on April 20, 2022 and has been updated with new information and links.

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There are many ways to prevent global warming from becoming worse. Many nations have put laws into place to fight climate change -- here's what you can do.

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Feeling the Heat: Understanding Heatstroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's heat-regulating systems fail to work adequately, leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature. This is usually a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in such conditions and can lead to severe complications, including organ damage, brain damage, and, in extreme cases, death.

Football players are at particular risk due to the high-intensity nature of the sport, combined with the protective gear they wear that can limit sweat evaporation. Pre-existing injuries, age, and overall fitness levels can also potentially exacerbate the risk. For instance, individuals with previous heat-related illnesses are more susceptible to heat stroke. Age also plays a role, as the ability to regulate body temperature effectively decreases with age, putting older athletes at a higher risk. Fitness levels, too, have a significant impact, as players who are not in optimal shape may overexert themselves, pushing their body temperatures to dangerous levels.
If you need emergency care, AdvanceER is here to help. Call (214) 494-8222 for more information.
Hydration: The Secret Weapon

During high-heat football games, maintaining proper hydration is fundamental, not only for achieving optimal performance but also for protecting your health. Intense physical exertion in hot conditions can lead to significant fluid loss through sweat, which, if not replaced, can result in fatigue, cramps, nausea, and dizziness.

Prioritizing hydration before, during, and after the game is vital to manage these symptoms and prevent their onset. Begin hydrating several hours before kickoff, drinking water at regular intervals to ensure your body is well-prepared. During the game, aim to ingest fluids every 15-20 minutes.

Interestingly, hydration isn't just about water. While water is certainly critical, it does not replace the electrolytes lost in sweat. Here's where sports drinks come into play. These beverages, often high in sodium and potassium, can help replenish electrolyte levels and provide much-needed energy via carbohydrates.

Alongside sports drinks and water, other hydrating beverages, such as coconut water, can benefit your game-day regimen. Coconut water is high in potassium and other essential electrolytes, making it a natural yet effective alternative to commercial sports drinks. Everyone's hydration needs are unique, so it's critical to listen to your body and hydrate accordingly.

The Impact of Heat-Related Injuries

Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can result in a variety of injuries that impact athletes both in the short and long term. In the short term, heat-related illnesses can lead to a decline in athletic performance, muscle cramps, exhaustion, fainting, and loss of consciousness. The dangers of these conditions shouldn't be underestimated, as they can have immediate, life-threatening effects.

Long-term impacts, however, can be even more detrimental. Persistent high body temperatures can lead to organ damage, particularly to the kidneys and the heart. Over time, this can cause chronic health issues such as kidney failure or heart disease. Furthermore, heat stroke can also cause neurological damage, potentially leading to long-term cognitive impairments, including memory problems and difficulty concentrating.

Heat stroke can also have psychological effects, as dealing with a severe health event can lead to post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Moreover, these long-term effects can significantly impact an athlete's quality of life, affecting their sporting career, personal life, and overall well-being.

By understanding the risks of heat-related illnesses and taking preventive measures such as staying properly hydrated and listening to their bodies, athletes can significantly reduce the potential impact on their short and long-term health. Medical professionals, trainers, and athletes must remain vigilant about these risks and commit to prevention strategies.
If you or someone you love is dealing with a heat-related health emergency, don't hesitate to visit AdvanceER. For more information, call (214) 494-8222 or contact us online.

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Are you protecting yourself from heat stroke when you're on the field? Read our blog for more information about heat's effect on football players.

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9 things you can do about climate change

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9 things you can do about climate change

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With so many experts on climate change here at Imperial, many people ask us what they personally can do about it?