Climate Change, Sport and Public Health: How the UK Must Adapt
- Save Today, Play Tomorrow
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
New work from the Wellcome Trust looks at what more frequent heatwaves mean for the future of British sport and the implications for our public health.
Extreme heat is no longer a distant risk - it is affecting health in the UK right now, and the impacts stretch beyond temperature alone. Poor air quality is worsening respiratory conditions, and drought is affecting the green spaces communities depend on.
At this year’s French Open for example, players have struggled in the heat with temperatures reaching between 32°C and 35°C most afternoons. Such conditions have been generally very rare in the second grand slam of the year.
During the record-breaking heatwave of July 2022, England cricketer Matthew Potts collapsed on the pitch after just four overs, suffering severe heat stress that required hours of medical treatment. This offers a stark reminder of how quickly rising temperatures can push the body beyond safe limits.
In this video from the Wellcome Trust below, scientists and health experts explain why UK heatwaves can be particularly dangerous, how heat affects heart rate, breathing and body temperature, and why climate change and extreme weather events such as flooding, is increasing these risks for the millions of people who work, exercise or spend time outdoors.
Tips to prevent heat stress include:
· Setting up free drinking water stations
· Increasing the number of drinks breaks to ensure people stay hydrated
· Provide shaded areas so players and spectators can shelter away from direct sunlight.
Watch the full YouTube from the Wellcome Trust here.
