Thousands of liters of water spilled on the roads of the Tour de France in the midst of a drought, controversies surrounding the watering of football and golf courses… The summer of 2022 particularly highlights the consequences of climate change on sports practice. Researcher at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) and head of the climate, energy and security program, Julia Tasse focuses her research on the interactions between security and climate. She also co-directed the Geopolitical Observatory of the challenges of climate change in terms of security and defence.
Does the summer of 2022 mark a turning point in the need for ecological awareness in sport?
As in many sectors, it is striking to see the extent of the consequences of the drought on sports practice. There is a double awareness: both on the part of the authorities, who see new constraints emerging, and of the general public, who realizes the ideal conditions in which a sport could be practiced, the changes that the disruption climate will involve and privileges granted to the sporting world. This awareness began with certain events such as the organization of the World Cup in Qatar [du 20 novembre au 18 décembre] and stadium air conditioning. Part of the population has realized that one cannot do sport at certain times of the day in one part of the globe.
Will we now be faced with this type of debate every year?
These issues will arise in the coming months, in anticipation of a possible drought, with the question of prioritizing access to water. When certain sectors are asked to make an effort, is it fair to make exceptions for others? Who is more important to give access to a certain amount of water: the farmer or the golf green?
Have the consequences of sport on the environment been underestimated?
This difficulty in accounting for the consequences of an activity on the climate is not specific to sport. What is particular to this environment is that the general public is not always aware of the carbon footprint of professional athletes and major clubs, who travel by air continuously. More and more people are asking themselves the question of the image that certain athletes give off. What dreams are they selling and at what cost to the environment?
You have 57.37% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.