Global warming is perhaps the most critical issue in the world today and its impact is undeniable. Football itself has not been able to escape the effects of climate change which ever increasingly threatens the longevity of the sport.
In recent times, with the earth’s temperature on the rise, football has seen a number of actions taken in an attempt to tackle the problem. “The introduction of ‘cooling breaks’ to alleviate the effects of heat during a match” (Tabona, 2018) is an example of this, however, the extent to which these breaks are considered popular is somewhat uncertain. Both managers and players have argued they disrupt the flow of the game, leaving fans bored and frustrated. Considering its impact on football, is there any proactive methods the sport can take to prevent climate change, as opposed to the current reactive approach?
A team in the English 4th Division, Forest Green Rovers, have pioneered the way in which football clubs are run, implementing numerous measures to create a more sustainable organisation. Since 2010 they have installed solar PV panels along the roof of their stadium” and have introduced a completely organic pitch with “no pesticides or chemicals” (Sustainibility in Sport, 2012). Evidently there is contribution to be made by the sport in order to help protect the environment, and it is critical that it is done so.
The 2022 World Cup, perhaps the biggest sporting event in the world, for the first time in history is set to take part during winter due to the host country (Qatar) being deemed ‘too hot’ to hold a summer tournament. If climate change is not dealt with, could football eventually collapse as a sport altogether, with the heat being near-on impossible to play in?
The Shift in Football from Sport to Business 