In this article, we’ll break down why climate change in Florida is a growing problem and what can be done to protect the sunshine state moving forward.

Climate Change in Florida

As the past year has shown that climate change in Florida is continuing to have a profound effect on the 22 million people who live there, climate change in Florida is becoming an exemplary topic to highlight the ongoing climate crisis in the United States – and the world.
In the 2024 alone, Florida was witness to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton – both of which caused insurmountable damage to infrastructure, power lines, and took several lives. 

Why is climate change happening in Florida?

Climate change in Florida is happening for the same reason that other regions around the world are experiencing skyrocketing temperatures and sporadic weather patterns – it’s a result of the increase of human activity and carbon emissions.

💡As previously explained by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human activity is the primary cause behind rising emissions and greenhouse gases – as modernised or excessive travel, industrialisation, and consumption drastically increase the amount of air pollution and overall global warming

I have a lot of climate concerns that keep me up at night... My initial concern has come from worrying about what of the natural world and a livable climate is going to be kind of left for my children and their children. – (Sarah Edwards, Florida resident and environmental advocate).

The coastal waters off Florida's dream beaches are becoming a nightmare: Temperatures have topped 37 degrees Celsius, killing corals.

The extremely high water temperatures are a consequence of both climate change and the weather phenomenon known as El Niño. They are devastating one of the most species-rich habitats on earth, bleaching the coral reefs off Florida. Some fear the corals will not survive. Ines Pohl accompanies activists while they fight for the survival of this fragile ecosystem.

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Climate change in Florida | DW Documentary

How do Floridians feel about climate change?

Ultimately, the perception of climate change in Florida is a mixed bag – as according to Florida Climate Resilient Surveys, 61% of Floridians are concerned regarding excessive flooding and  68% of Floridians believe the that intensity of hurricanes is increasing as a result of climate change in Florida.

Regardless of these statistics on climate change in Florida, as whole – many residents of the state are concerned about rising sea levels and the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes – especially as Florida battled Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton within a short time frame at the tail end of 2024.  

Florida as a whole has been referred as “ground zero” for climate change and sea level rise  in the United States, as the entire state’s population and economy is contingent on it not going underwater – where cities like Miami are already estimated to be 60% underwater by 2060. 

👉 Ultimately, climate change in Florida is occurring as a result of an increase of man-made emissions – leaving state officials and Floridians alike divided on how to handle its currently bleak climate future.

What have been the worst effects of climate change in Florida?

Over the past few years, Florida has been subject to excessive sea level rise, flooding, and stronger hurricanes – both of which have left the state more vulnerable to the long-term effects of climate change. 


💡Between 2020 and 2024, nine hurricanes struck the sunshine state – causing a cumulative $244.5 billion in damages and a devastating 450 fatalities. This illustrates just how much climate change is having an evident long-term, heartbreaking effect on Florida.

Floridians believe in climate change more than other Americans. Makes sense. This is the state where we had historic, destructive rainfall... – (Miami Herald Editorial Board).

Here’s a breakdown of some of the ways climate change in Florida has been the most impactful:

As Florida has a low elevation and is predominantly surrounded by water, the state remains  exceptionally  to rising sea levels – potentially threatening billions of dollars of infrastructure and real-estate alike. 

💡In fact, a mere one-foot rising sea level could result in $4 billion dollars of property damage in Southeast Florida – ultimately deterring future tourism or vacation rentals from existing in the state, which continue to serve as a major source of income for Florida. 

While the economic impact of sea level rise in Florida may appear to be the most significant, the health and social effects of rising sea levels are just as worrisome. For instance, sea level rise is bound to affect lower-income communities in Florida and contribute to the risk of climate migration. 

In addition to this, rising sea levels in Florida could impact freshwater resources in the state – especially in Southern Florida where many residents rely on  the Bisayne Aquifer for water, where over 300 million gallons of water are pumped out every single day for both drinking and recreational purposes. 


The increase of severe storms and rising sea levels in Florida also contribute to excessive flooding in the state, which could lead to even more economic damages and social challenges. 

For example, flooding in Florida caused by heavy rainfall and hurricanes have caused higher flood insurance prices – making it more challenging for households and businesses to protect themselves from the ongoing threat of hurricanes. 

💡 In fact, the floods from Hurricane Ian resulted in 150 indirect deaths in Florida – illustrating how severe flooding in of itself if just as dangerous as hurricanes and sea level rise. 

Difficulties in evacuating in the midst of another emergency 

Increased risk of respiratory illness as mold exposure will increase alongside additional moisture from flooding

The spread of various diseases and put additional stress on the already-strained healthcare system in the U.S. 

Long-term and increasingly scary flooding could provoke eco-anxiety and other mental health disorders

Florida, known as the sunshine state, is known for its year round beautiful weather – but climate change in Florida is starting to threaten the once temperament temperatures that residents and vacation goers alike have enjoyed for years.

This is because, as a result of climate change in Florida, the state has noticed an increase in average temperatures – as the state as saw an annual 3.5°F increase since 1950, which well exceeds the overall global average increase of 2.7°F since 1950.

👉 These rising temperatures in Florida could provoke excessive heat waves, which can spur long-term effects to Floridian’s mental and physical health.

Hurricane Helene started on September 26th, 2024 as a Category 4 hurricane – and caused massive damage which caused power outages and even took lives to people who worked in factories.

💡In fact, the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene inspired social media influencers to share the current impact of the hurricane, as an effort to encourage future presidents of the United States to develop more sufficient federal resources for hurricane relief.

As a result, Hurricane Helene was named one of the deadliest storms of the 21st century – with over 230 deaths across six states in the Southeastern region of the United States. 

Not even two weeks later, another strong hurricane hit Florida, known as Hurricane Milton,  hit the usually safe city of Tampa – eliciting strong winds of 180mph and caused the mayor to announce a city-wide evacuation plan.

💡Although Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, it left 3 million households and businesses across the state without power – demonstrating how these increasingly ferocious storms can have an impact on the state’s economy and education long-term.

However, the most profound ripple effect of Hurricane Milton may have been the viral video of a meteorologist who grew emotional at the thought of global warming causing these horrific hurricanes – as it elicited people to pay more attention to the increasingly high risk and negative effects of climate change in Florida and the impact natural disasters will continue to have on the rest of the world.

👉 Ultimately, climate change in Florida has been more prevalent than ever before as the effects of sea level rise, flooding, and intense hurricanes are causing cumulative damage.

Is there effective climate change policy in Florida?

Although the majority of Floridians believe in global warming and that climate change in Florida is real, the state itself is politically divided on how to handle the ongoing effects of climate change in Florida – as Democrats remain confident that the need for effective policy is in order, whereas Republicans aren’t in full agreement on how to tackle climate change in Florida. 


💡For instance, only 46% of Republicans are in favor of climate change education in schools – demonstrating how half of one of two major political parties in the United States remain wary of bringing greater awareness to climate change in Florida.

I got involved in politics because I could see the environment not being addressed—the climate emergency—nobody's doing anything about it.  – Russell Conn, who serves as a resident and chair of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida.

Further acknowledging that climate change is a growing concern in his state, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a measure requiring public coastal construction projects to first be reviewed for impacts on the state’s fragile seashore because of rising sea levels.

The signing was hailed by environmentalists as an important step in addressing the encroaching ocean in a state with more than 1,300 miles of shoreline and where two-thirds of the 22 million residents live along the coast.

The bill was one of 28 signed into law by DeSantis late Monday, including one that undoes a ban on sunscreen imposed by Key West. The ban was meant to protect fragile coral reefs from the possibly harmful chemicals contained in sun-blocking creams.

DeSantis has tried to cast himself as a champion of the environment, particularly in his support of Everglades restoration and controlling algae blooms that have mucked up rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

But environmentalists have been pushing the governor to act more aggressively in the arena of climate change by supporting alternative energy and reducing the state’s reliance on carbon fuels that contribute to climate change.

The bipartisan bill DeSantis signed on coastal construction is limited to public projects that rely on state money.

Under the new law, public construction projects would have to take into account rising sea levels, flooding and the potential for damage to increasingly fragile coasts.

“The delicate relationship between our coastal communities and the environment requires that our Legislature take meaningful steps to ensure that coastal construction be completed with an understanding of sea level rise and an appreciation for protecting our natural resources,” said state Rep. Vance Aloupis, a Miami Republican who got his party behind the measure.

In the Senate, the effort was led by Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Miami Democrat who has been wearing rain boots during recent legislative sessions to bring attention to climate change.

“In a state where more than two-thirds of the population lives near the coast, requiring planning when state taxpayer dollars are spent on infrastructure in the coastal zone is a necessary and long overdue initial step in addressing the impacts of climate,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has said the measure is another baby step in a political climate that has made it challenging to take quick action on climate change. Environmentalists have called on the governor and the Republican-led Legislature to move more urgently.

A legislative analysis estimated that property values in Florida could sink by more than $300 billion by the end of this century because of rising sea levels.

Last year, the governor appointed a chief resiliency officer to help lead his administration in addressing climate change, but that official left earlier this year for a job with the Trump administration and the vacant position has not been filled.

On the matter of sunscreen, skin cancer ad coral reefs, DeSantis landed on the side of sun worshipers who the governor has now given tacit approval to slather away.

Some lawmakers expressed doubt in some studies that concluded that sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate do harm to coral. More persuasive, they said were the health risks posed by the sun to unprotected skin. There is indisputable evidence, they noted, that direct exposure to the sun’s rays increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Opponents of the bill asserted that there were products less harmful to the environment, including Zinc-based creams. And they argued that the measure was a preemption of local authority by a Legislature that shouldn’t be meddling in local affairs.

Key West is a popular destination among fishermen. Snorkelers and scuba divers are also drawn to the reefs anchored offshore.

The ordinance was set to go into effect on Jan. 1 of next year, but has now been preempted with the governor’s signature.

Key West wouldn’t be the first place to ban sunscreen. Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean island of Bonaire and the archipelago nation of Palau in the western Pacific have all enacted sunscreen bans.

Drug store chain CVS announced in August that it will remove the chemicals from 60 of its store brand sunscreen products, and it and other companies are now marketing mineral-based “reef safe” sunscreen.

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DeSantis Signs Law to Protect Florida Coast from Rising Sea Levels

What is climate change policy like in Florida in 2025?

As of 2025, statewide initiatives to curb climate change in Florida continue to be put on the backburner as a result of the ongoing politicisation of climate change in the United States – with Florida even trying to forbid the terms “climate change” and global warming”.

However, Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida – has made an effort to make Florida more resilient in the midst of more strenuous hurricanes and negative effects of climate change. For example, DeSantis signed an executive order to address various environmental issues in Florida – such as rising sea levels. 

Together, Ron DeSantis and Florida have also established the following:

DeSantis appointed a Chief Science Officer to help monitor and better understand future research and analysis 

DeSantis developed the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection to help vulnerable communities cope with rising sea levels

This idea of, quote, climate change has become politicised…My environmental policy is just to try to do things that benefit Floridians. (Ron DeSantis on his approach to climate change in Florida). 

👉 As a whole, climate change in Florida is worsening – and while there are building blocks for effective action at the moment, there aren’t enough policies in place to help mitigate climate change at the root of the cause. 

What could be done to prevent climate change in Florida?

In order to prevent climate change in Florida, more drastic actions would need to be taken in the state to incentivise residents of Florida from contributing to the rise of greenhouse gas emissions which are spurring rising temperatures, hurricanes, and sea level rise. 

💡 In this case, Florida is almost like the flip side of the coin from what we are seeing in California – a state that is also prone to natural disasters induced by climate change, such as with the recent 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. 

However, the difference between California and Florida is that California has made a continuous effort to employ effective climate legislation to tackle climate change at the root of the cause – whereas Florida has focused on efforts to build resilience for communities or provide support after a devastating natural disaster hits. 

The answer to protecting Florida from future, worsening negative effects of climate change would be to employ more eco-friendly habits across the state.

Here are some ways we could safeguard climate change in Florida moving forward:

Greater Climate Legislation – Florida could take the lead from California and employ greater measures to mitigate excess emissions in the state. For example, similar to Los Angeles, cities in Florida such as Miami depend on cars as the primary mode of transportation. Florida could employ similar legislation to California by banning the sale of gasoline powered cars by 2035. 

Boost Public Transportation – Jobs in the state of Florida could incentivise residents in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami to use public transportation more often – especially if their jobs offer them a stipend to use buses instead of driving their personal vehicles. 

Encourage Eco-Friendly Beach Days – Florida is a beach haven for residents and travellers alike, but as a whole – beach days can sometimes contribute to plastic waste or other environmental repercussions. Therefore, Florida could increase its signage on beaches to encourage beach goers to reduce their water consumption when showering off sand and to warn them of potential fines for plastic littering. 


Overall, climate change in Florida is real – but the future of the state is in the hands of government officials, Floridians, and everyone who plans to visit the state. The next time that you take a trip to Disney World or one of Florida’s beautiful beaches, remember that beauty is skin deep – and climate change in Florida continues to be a menacing threat to the state.

If reading this article on climate change in Florida has inspired you to consider your company’s own carbon footprint, Greenly can help.

At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. We offer free demo for you to better understand our platform and all that it has to offer – including assistance on how to reduce emissions, optimise energy efficiency, and more to help you get started on your climate journey.

Learn more about Greenly’s carbon management platform here.

Government Census https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/FL/PST045223 

Palm Beach Post https://web.archive.org/web/20230405192015/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/opinion/editorial-gov-scott-irma-leadership-undercut-his-climate-denial/44qVCYgU4Wg6kWlwzVpW1J/ 

ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/US/desantis-addresses-climate-change-impacts-source-analysis/story?id=90755697 

Miami Herald https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article280982213.html 

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/climate-change/article275743456.html 

https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article280982213.html 

WUSF https://www.wusf.org/environment/2021-09-22/floridians-and-climate-change-we-have-a-lot-of-work-to-do

https://www.wusf.org/environment/2021-09-22/floridians-and-climate-change-we-have-a-lot-of-work-to-do

Centre for Environmental Studies https://www.ces.fau.edu/ces-bepi/index.php 

Inside Climate News https://insideclimatenews.org/news/13032014/climate-change-showdown-florida-governors-race/ 

NBC Miami https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/will-miami-be-underwater-someday/3119902/ 

Our Children Trust https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/blog/floridas-water-reckoning-and-the-rising-cost-of-climate-change

Invading Sea https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2018/09/10/florida-future-fund-needed-to-help-the-states-residents-cope-with-threats-to-the-environment-and-their-health

Naple News https://eu.naplesnews.com/story/weather/hurricanes/2024/10/28/hurricane-milton-date-florida-landfall-path-damage/75889915007/ 

OSBM https://www.osbm.nc.gov/hurricane-helene-dna/open 

CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/05/us/helene-death-toll-rises-saturday/index.html 

DailyMail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13932985/hurricane-milton-live-updates-tracker-path-florida.html 

Demos https://www.demos.org/research/economic-and-environmental-impacts-climate-change-florida 

NHC https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092022_Ian.pdf 

Florida Center for Investigative Reporting http://fcir.org/2015/03/08/in-florida-officials-ban-term-climate-change/ 

Florida Climate Center https://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/climate-change 

Madeira Beach Florida https://madeirabeachfl.gov/madeira-beach-gets-tough-on-litter/ 

In this article, we’ll explore why climate change is affecting sports, how different sporting disciplines are being impacted, and what the industry is doing in response.

How is sport affected by climate change?

Sport is deeply connected to the environment. Whether it’s a football match played under open skies, a marathon runner pacing through city streets, or a skier carving through fresh powder, weather, and climate conditions shape the way sports are played, watched, and enjoyed. But as climate change accelerates, extreme heat, unpredictable weather patterns, and environmental degradation are increasingly disrupting sporting events at every level - from grassroots competitions to the Olympics.

Why does this matter? Climate change isn’t just an issue for future generations, it’s already reshaping the world of sport. Athletes are struggling with soaring temperatures, stadiums are being battered by extreme weather, and entire sporting seasons are being thrown into chaos by unpredictable conditions. Some sports, like skiing and winter sports, are particularly vulnerable, while others, such as football, are facing new risks that threaten the way the game is played.

Climate change is affecting everybody. Whether it's forest fires, flooding, landslides, we've got problems here and it's not limited to those areas that we were instinctively having to figure out 20 or 30 years ago. It's on our doorstep. – Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics.

According to a survey by World Athletics, three-quarters of athletes have been directly impacted by climate change. 

Sport has always been shaped by the environment. Seasons dictate when leagues begin and end, and weather conditions determine how games are played. But as climate change accelerates, the stable conditions that sport depends on are disappearing.

Rising global temperatures are making sport more dangerous

One of the most immediate impacts of climate change on sport is extreme heat. In 2024, the average global temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, making heatwaves more frequent, prolonged, and severe. This has direct consequences for athletes, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even life-threatening conditions like heatstroke.

Endurance sports, such as long-distance running, cycling, and tennis, are particularly affected, as competitors must sustain high physical exertion in rising temperatures and humid conditions over prolonged periods of time.

How heat impacts athletes' health and performance

High temperatures put immense stress on the human body, particularly during prolonged physical activity. Heat illness occurs when the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature is overwhelmed.

Heat-related conditions that athletes face include:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th>Condition</th>
    <th>Symptoms</th>
    <th>Impact on Athletes</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Heat Cramps</td>
    <td>Muscle spasms, dehydration, sweating</td>
    <td>Common in endurance athletes, worsens performance</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Heat Exhaustion</td>
    <td>Dizziness, nausea, headaches, rapid pulse, excessive sweating</td>
    <td>Leads to fatigue and increased injury risk</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Heatstroke (Medical Emergency)</td>
    <td>Core body temp above 40.5°C, confusion, collapse, unconsciousness</td>
    <td>Can be fatal if not treated immediately</td>
  </tr>
</table>


As climate change accelerates, these conditions are becoming more common, even among elite athletes! 

Tokyo 2020: the hottest Olympics on record

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics highlighted the risks of extreme heat in elite sports. With temperatures soaring to 34°C (93°F) and humidity levels reaching 70%, the Games were declared the hottest in Olympic history.

Tennis players struggled to finish matches:

Spain’s Paula Badosa collapsed due to heat exhaustion and had to be taken off the court in a wheelchair.

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev needed two medical timeouts in his men’s singles quarter-final. At one point, he told officials: “I can finish the match, but I can die. If I die, are you going to be responsible?”

Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas also retired mid-match due to extreme heat.

Archers and beach volleyball players suffered from the following conditions:

Russian archer Svetlana Gomboeva collapsed from heatstroke while inspecting her target.

Beach volleyball players complained that the sand was almost too hot to stand on, despite multiple attempts to cool it with water.

Athletes in endurance sports faced the greatest risks:

The marathon and race-walking events were moved 500 miles north to Sapporo, yet athletes still battled heat exhaustion.

In marathon swimming, competitors woke up at 3:45 am to race in 30°C (86°F) water, raising concerns about the risk of heatstroke.

The 2023 US Open (tennis) was another wake-up call, with temperatures surpassing 35°C (95°F) on the court.

Daniil Medvede, already a vocal critic of playing in extreme heat, warned mid-match: “One player is going to die, and then they will see.”

Players gasped for air, drenched in sweat, and struggled to physically complete matches.

Even with medical interventions, the heat proved too much, forcing organisers to introduce longer breaks between sets and shaded rest areas.

While elite athletes receive medical support and hydration strategies, amateur athletes such as young athletes in high schools and colleges are even more vulnerable to heatstroke.

More than 61 American football players have died from heatstroke since 1995, with fatalities increasing due to rising temperatures and longer heatwaves.

Over 62,500 amateur football matches were cancelled in the UK in 2020 due to unplayable heat or waterlogged pitches.

Heat-related risks in sports are no longer rare or extreme cases they are becoming the new normal.

We are going to have to have a think about this. And maybe some of our endurance events, particularly the road, need to be staged at times of year where you are not putting athletes at risk. – Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. 

Extreme heat is the latest challenge facing athletes and organisers at the Tokyo Olympics.
Some competitors have collapsed because of the warm conditions.
So, tennis players are being given extra time to recover between sets after Novak Djokovic said conditions meant players were "constantly dehydrated".
Al Jazeera's Andy Richardson reports from Tokyo, Japan.

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Tokyo Olympics: Athletes, staff face extreme heat

Extreme weather is damaging sporting infrastructure

Sport has always had to contend with bad weather, but in recent years, extreme storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding have become more frequent and severe. This is no longer a rare occurrence, it’s a regular challenge that threatens entire sporting calendars and the infrastructure that supports professional and grassroots sports.

Climate data shows that storms and heavy rainfall are becoming more intense due to rising global temperatures. Warmer air holds more moisture, meaning storms release more rain in a shorter period, leading to flooding.

In the UK, winter rainfall has increased by more than 15% since 1990, leading to waterlogged football pitches and postponed fixtures.

In the US, hurricane seasons are lasting longer, putting stadiums, training grounds, and sports events at risk.

Globally, extreme storms and floods are damaging stadiums, delaying tournaments, and even forcing relocations.

These events aren’t just affecting play on the pitch, they’re also causing financial headaches for clubs, venues, and sponsors who rely on consistent schedules.

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th>Extreme Weather Event</th>
    <th>How it Affects Sport</th>
    <th>Examples</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Heavy Rainfall & Flooding</td>
    <td>Waterlogged pitches, cancelled matches, damage to stadiums</td>
    <td>UK football pitches, cricket grounds, New Orleans Saints stadium after Hurricane Ida</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Storms & Hurricanes</td>
    <td>Stadium destruction, power outages, postponed seasons</td>
    <td>NBA, NFL, and MLB disruptions in hurricane-prone states</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Strong Winds</td>
    <td>Dangerous conditions for outdoor sports, damage to infrastructure</td>
    <td>Cycling events postponed, rugby matches affected</td>
  </tr>
</table>


Football and rugby: UK pitches underwater

Premier League stadiums have been impacted by more intense rainfall - Old Trafford and Wembley have faced drainage problems, while lower-league clubs have seen flooded grounds requiring costly repairs.

Rugby pitches have also suffered, especially in Scotland and Wales, where winter rainfall has intensified, affecting training and match schedules.

Cricket is one of the sports most affected by extreme rainfall, as even a short downpour can make conditions unplayable for hours.

Since 2000, 27% of England's home one-day international cricket matches have been affected by rain delays or reduced overs.

The 2023 Ashes Series saw critical matches disrupted, sparking concerns that longer, wetter summers could threaten the future of Test cricket in England.

The US: hurricanes and storms batter sports infrastructure

Hurricane Ida (2021) forced the New Orleans Saints (NFL) to relocate their season opener after the stadium’s roof was damaged and local infrastructure was severely impacted.

Hurricane Ian (2022) disrupted baseball, American football, and college sports, causing millions in damages to stadiums in Florida.

In Texas, severe storms have damaged baseball and American football fields, leading to last-minute match postponements.

Cycling and marathons: high winds and flooding creating dangerous conditions

Extreme weather is not just about rain, it’s also about wind speeds and air pressure.

The Tour de France has faced increasing challenges, with stronger crosswinds forcing changes to race routes.

In November 2024, the Zurich Maratón San Sebastián was canceled less than 24 hours before its scheduled start due to extreme weather conditions. Forecasts predicted wind speeds exceeding 120 km/h, posing significant safety risks for participants, volunteers, and spectators.

Many historic golf courses are located along coastlines, making them extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels and storm damage.

In Scotland, courses like St Andrews have faced coastal erosion, while in the US, courses in Florida and California are increasingly flooded after storms.

Extreme weather is also a growing financial burden on the sports industry.

Stadium insurance premiums are rising due to climate risks.

Local clubs are struggling to recover from repeated storm damage.

Match postponements and cancellations are costing leagues millions in lost revenue.

Extreme weather isn’t just disrupting play, it’s hitting clubs, leagues, and venues financially.

Stadium insurance premiums are rising, making it more expensive to safeguard facilities.

Clubs face mounting repair costs, from flooded football pitches in the UK to hurricane-damaged stadiums in the US.

Postponements and cancellations are costing leagues millions in lost ticket sales, broadcasting revenue, and sponsorship deals.

For grassroots and local teams, the impact is even greater as many lack the resources to recover from repeated weather damage. Without adaptation, extreme weather will continue to strain the financial future of sport.

1,472 views  Sep 2, 2021  #NewYorkYankees #hurricane #Yankees
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New York Yankees Double AA Team Stadium Destroyed By Hurricane Ida

Wildfires and air pollution are making it harder to breathe

I was really scared I would collapse because I couldn't walk any more. – Dalila Jakupović, after retiring from the 2020 Australian Open due to wildfire smoke

As climate change intensifies wildfires, air pollution is becoming a serious threat to outdoor sports. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and drier landscapes are making wildfires larger, more frequent, and harder to control, filling the air with smoke, ash, and harmful pollutants.

For athletes, this is a direct health hazard. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals, which reduce lung function and oxygen intake, making physical exertion far more difficult. Even short-term exposure can lead to inflammation in the lungs, respiratory distress, and long-term health effects.

When air quality deteriorates, athletes experience:

Shortness of breath, dizziness, and eye irritation

Reduced endurance and slower recovery times due to limited oxygen intake

Increased risk of heart and lung conditions from prolonged exposure

Higher susceptibility to dehydration as the body works harder to cool itself

This isn’t just a problem for elite competitors - grassroots sports, recreational runners, and even children playing outdoors are increasingly at risk. 

In cities with high pollution levels, people are exercising outdoors less often, raising concerns about declining sports participation and overall public health.

2020 Australian Open: Wildfire smoke engulfed Melbourne, forcing players to compete in hazardous conditions. Dalila Jakupović collapsed on the court and had to retire, while other players struggled to breathe between points. Organisers had to halt practice sessions and implement new air quality measures, yet many players still described the conditions as “unplayable”.

US wildfires (California & Oregon): Baseball, soccer, and track events have been cancelled across multiple states due to poor air quality. In Major League Baseball (MLB), games have been postponed because smoke from California wildfires reduced visibility and made conditions unsafe.

With wildfire seasons expanding and air pollution worsening, sports governing bodies are facing tough decisions about whether to continue outdoor events in hazardous conditions.  If current trends continue, air pollution could reshape outdoor sports altogether, with:

More events relocated or postponed due to dangerous air quality levels

Increased use of indoor training facilities for endurance sports

Athletes forced to adapt to wearing protective gear or limit outdoor exposure

5,714 views  Jan 15, 2020  #TodayShow #AustralianOpen #AustralianWildfires
Heavy smoke from the massive brushfires in Australia is now impacting the country's busiest airport and the Australian Open tennis tournament. More than a billion animals have been killed in the fires, and some species are on the brink of extinction. NBC’s Janis Mackey Frayer reports from Sydney.
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Smoke From Australian Wildfires Is Impacting Airport, Australian Open | TODAY

Smoke From Australian Wildfires Is Impacting Airport, Australian Open | TODAY

Winter sports struggle as snowfall declines

For skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports, climate change is a direct existential threat. Rising global temperatures are shortening ski seasons, reducing snowfall, and accelerating glacier melt, forcing resorts and event organisers to rely more heavily on artificial snow and higher-altitude venues.

At the elite level, this is reshaping where and how competitions take place. At the grassroots level, it’s threatening entire industries dependent on winter tourism, from small ski towns to global ski giants.

How is climate change disrupting winter sports?

Shorter and more unpredictable ski seasons

Warmer winters mean ski resorts are opening later and closing earlier. Some are struggling to remain operational at all.

The global average winter temperature has increased by around 1.5°C, meaning lower-altitude resorts are seeing less snowfall and faster snowmelt.

Lower-altitude resorts in Europe and North America are already shutting down due to a lack of reliable snow cover.

Many ski resorts are moving operations to higher altitudes, but there’s a limit to how high they can go.

Artificial snow production requires water and energy, making it both environmentally damaging and expensive.

Some resorts spend millions each year on snow-making technology, making winter sports increasingly accessible only to wealthier regions and visitors.

The Alps are warming at twice the global average, with snowfall levels declining significantly over the past 50 years. Some lower-altitude resorts in France, Switzerland, and Austria have already closed permanently due to a lack of snow.

Colorado and Utah ski resorts are seeing shorter seasons, forcing them to invest heavily in artificial snow just to stay open.

Glaciers used for summer skiing and training are melting rapidly. If current trends continue, some of the most famous skiing destinations could become unviable by 2050.

Lower-altitude ski resorts will disappear, leaving only a handful of high-altitude destinations.

Artificial snow will become the norm, further increasing costs and environmental concerns.

Winter sports may become a luxury, accessible only to the wealthiest regions and athletes.

Without urgent climate action, some of the world’s most beloved winter sports could become nearly impossible in their traditional form. 

The Alps have always been a safe bet for skiers—until now. As a consequence of climate change, there is less snow, and slopes are remaining bare. A disaster for ski resorts, whose economy depends on winter sports. How are they dealing with this, and what are their future plans? Lukas Stege looks for answers in Germany and Austria.

00:00 Intro
01:11 Zugspitze, Germany
06:30 KIT Campus Alpin, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
08:41 Garmisch Classic ski resort
10:50 Dachstein Mountains, Austria

CREDITS:
Report: Lukas Stege, Holm Weber
Camera & Editing: Holm Weber
Executive producer: Christina Deicke
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