Introduction
The FIFA World Cup, one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, is about to begin, and while fans are preparing for the matches, scientists are warning about the dangerous heatwaves that are expected to hit the host countries, particularly the United States. A new analysis warns that the probability of high levels of heat and humidity is now twice as high as it was during the last World Cup held in the United States in 1994, mainly due to climate change.
The World Weather Attribution Study
The study, conducted by the World Weather Attribution initiative, concluded that more than two dozen matches will be played under thermal stress conditions. Some of these matches will be played in stadiums without air conditioning systems. This puts not only the players but also the fans who will be present in the stadiums at risk.
“The matches this summer will be played in hotter conditions, putting players and fans at risk,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN agency for Climate Change, in a statement obtained by Mongabay.
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
Using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an index that combines temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind, the researchers analyzed the forecast conditions for various host cities. According to them, values above 26 °C are already considered risky, while levels above 28 °C are unsafe for play.
Risk Conditions in Host Cities
During the tournament, it is expected that 26 matches will reach or exceed the 26 °C WBGT mark, while five will surpass the 28 °C threshold. In comparison, only three games recorded this level of heat during the 1994 World Cup.
The cities considered most vulnerable are Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, and New York, where matches played in the afternoon and early evening coincide with the hottest periods.
Conclusion
Football, like many other sports, is not immune to climate change. The World Cup, a global event that brings together millions of people, is under alert due to extreme heat. It is essential that measures are taken to protect the players and fans, as well as to reduce the impact of climate change on sports.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay