Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it affects all aspects of life, including sports (UN Sport for Climate Action). According to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework (2016), sports organisations must take “responsibility for their climate footprint, helping global ambition step up and incentivising action beyond sports to take meaningful and transformative climate action.”
According to the Framework, “Sport’s impact on our climate is complex and can be difficult to measure depending on the size of the organisation and/or event. However, most sports organisations and fans would now acknowledge that sports’ contribution to climate change—through associated travel, energy use, construction, catering, and so on—is considerable. Moreover, sports’ global interest for billions of fans and the media coverage generated in response provide a strong platform for the sports sector to play an exemplary role in meeting the challenge of climate change and inspire and engage large audiences to do the same.”
While much attention is paid to climate change’s environmental, economic, and social consequences, understanding its impact on outdoor sports has been slow. Cricket, part of the Caribbean cultural DNA, is among the most vulnerable sports to climate change. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and extreme climatic events present substantial challenges to administrators, sponsors, players, and fans. However, a significant challenge is economic resources.
The Effects of Extreme Weather
Hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rainfall directly threaten cricket infrastructure. Furthermore, heavy rain can disrupt local, regional, and international tournaments, resulting in financial losses to CWI, regional boards, and other stakeholders. The unpredictability of weather patterns also complicates scheduling, forcing cancellations and rescheduling of matches. Such disruptions impact the professional level and grassroots cricket, limiting opportunities for young players to develop their skills.
Rising Temperatures
Extreme heat poses serious health risks to players, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can reduce performance levels, making it harder for players to maintain concentration and stamina. In recent years, players have had to take extra water breaks and wear specialised cooling gear to cope with the heat. However, such adaptations can only go so far. If temperatures continue to rise, strict heat policies must be introduced to ensure player safety.
In a region where water is a precious but scarce commodity, the challenge is to find suitable alternatives to potable water to maintain cricket, football, rugby, and golf fields.
Playing Conditions and Strategies
Climate change can also affect the game’s dynamics. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns influence pitch conditions. Drier weather can lead to harder, cracked pitches, favouring bowlers and making batting more challenging. Conversely, increased humidity and unexpected rain can alter the ball’s behaviour, giving swing bowlers an advantage.
Cricketers and coaches must adjust their strategies to adapt to these changing conditions. Teams may need to rethink their squad selections, training methods, and game tactics to align with new weather patterns. While adaptability has always been a part of cricket, climate change makes these adjustments more unpredictable and challenging.
Economic Impact
CWI and regional territorial boards cannot ignore the financial implications of climate change. When matches are cancelled or delayed due to extreme weather, it affects revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships. With already limited resources, the effects of climate change will exacerbate the existing widening gap between well-funded (Big 3) and less-funded nations.
Achieving Sustainability
Stakeholders must take proactive measures to protect cricket from the worsening effects of climate change. CWI and its regional boards, governments, and environmental organisations must work together to implement sustainable practices. Some measures will include adopting green initiatives such as solar-powered stadiums and water recycling systems, which can help reduce cricket’s carbon footprint. However, the catch-22 situation is that the required funding is a significant challenge for Caribbean society, including CWI. Public awareness campaigns, which can also encourage fans and players to be more environmentally conscious, should be a long-hanging achievable goal. By integrating climate resilience into cricket’s plans, the Caribbean can ensure that the sport continues to thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in the preceding article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any organisation in which he is a stakeholder.