The game of life: sports contribution to improving the health of the planet

The climate crisis and sport: from vicious cycle to virtuous circle The sports community needs a healthy planet to survive. Whether it be local running groups or Olympic athletes, we all depend on clean air, reasonable ambient temperatures, water availability, food security and many nature-based resources to participate in sport or to train for mental and physical peak condition. Worsening climate conditions will challenge the health and safety of athletes and recreational exercisers at all levels, and potentially lead to less opportunity to participate in physical activity and sport.1 2 Evidence is emerging that sport is a significant contributor to global emissions and harmful environmental impacts.3 4 Sporting mega-events have left a significant footprint through waste and emissions from construction at scale, climate-poor stadium designs, internationalisation of travel and unsustainable event management choices such as single use plastics in hospitality.
Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Tags: BJSM Editorial Source Type: research