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Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport
The world of sport has a new climate change.
In the last few years, a world championship marathon was held at midnight to avoid the blistering sun. Professional athletes got hooked up to oxygen tanks to play during wildfire season in California. Players collapsed and play was suspended amid the heat and bushfire smoke at the Australian Tennis open. Ski resorts in the Alps have turned into ghost towns. Golf courses are sinking into the sea. And then there's the Qatar World Cup, among the greatest follies in sporting history, one that saw hundreds (perhaps thousands) of heat-induced deaths before a ball was even kicked.
Sport is massively exposed to climate hazards, and a slew of health, business, but with billions of participants and fans around the world who rely on the sector for entertainment, fitness and health, and jobs, this is one industry we can't afford to lose. In this book, Madeleine Orr shows it doesn't have to be this way. There are ways to mitigate, and perhaps counter, even the worst elements of climate change.
A world-leading climate scientist, Madeleine Orr interviews athletes, coaches, politicians and thought-leaders about how climate change is already impacting sport, and what the sports world can do to fight back.
In the last few years, a world championship marathon was held at midnight to avoid the blistering sun. Professional athletes got hooked up to oxygen tanks to play during wildfire season in California. Players collapsed and play was suspended amid the heat and bushfire smoke at the Australian Tennis open. Ski resorts in the Alps have turned into ghost towns. Golf courses are sinking into the sea. And then there's the Qatar World Cup, among the greatest follies in sporting history, one that saw hundreds (perhaps thousands) of heat-induced deaths before a ball was even kicked.
Sport is massively exposed to climate hazards, and a slew of health, business, but with billions of participants and fans around the world who rely on the sector for entertainment, fitness and health, and jobs, this is one industry we can't afford to lose. In this book, Madeleine Orr shows it doesn't have to be this way. There are ways to mitigate, and perhaps counter, even the worst elements of climate change.
A world-leading climate scientist, Madeleine Orr interviews athletes, coaches, politicians and thought-leaders about how climate change is already impacting sport, and what the sports world can do to fight back.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
22 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2024
It's hard to review this book. The content is well researched and written but it doesn't form a coherent book. There are unrelated subjects (diversity in skiing, concussion in luge), subjects repeated (snow machines), and a structure to the book that seemed to go from hot to cold rather than in an order of relevance or interest
June 16, 2024
By far one of the best climate communication books I’ve read. Through plenty of relatable examples, Madeleine did a wonderful job addressing the intricacies of the climate crisis, highlighting the need for change, and providing tangible actions for how to change. Highly recommend!
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March 10, 2025My conversation with Orr discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up because of the importance of the topic and the quality of the research. It reads more like a series of essays than a book at times; there are facts that are repeated and ideas explained in multiple chapters, sometimes getting repetitive in a way that feels as though they are not meant to be read one after another (when they clearly are).
And there is a definite focus on some sports more than others. Despite the cover depicting a soccer ball, football doesn’t get as much time as I would have hoped, as that was my main interest in picking up the book. It’s clear — the author says it herself — that her favorite sport is skiing, but this means that it’s overrepresented in the book to the point of sometimes going off on tangents.
There are obvious effects of climate change on winter sports — shortened seasons, unsustainable technology used to create artificial winter conditions — and less obvious effects, like the risk of “sled-head” concussions from unstable ice conditions. But the winter sports chapters also have long digressions into topics like a lack of diversity on ski slopes and poor mental health resources in ski towns. Important topics, to be sure, but the author doesn’t make a strong case for tying them in to climate change.
Still, Orr has both a broad and a nuanced knowledge of the effects of climate change from the amateur to the elite levels across sports, continents, and events. From the way Kenyan athletes have been able to excel in running due to affordable food costs allowing them to eat nutritious, caloric meals on modest incomes, and the way this is endangered by increasing droughts in the reasons, to the sustainability efforts of NFL venues like the Lincoln Financial Field (go birds) and the aptly named Climate Pledge Arena, to the history of and backlash against oil money sponsorship in cycling, soccer, and more, Orr adeptly covers the highs and lows of sports-related climate news and action.
I also particularly enjoyed the ending. Orr writes that she doesn’t want to lean too far into either doomerism or “hopium”, and instead offer realistic information that covers both the progress that is being made and how far we still have to go. She concludes the book by laying out two visions of what sports could look like in the coming decades in worst and best case climate scenarios, with a clear path and incentive to work toward the latter.
And there is a definite focus on some sports more than others. Despite the cover depicting a soccer ball, football doesn’t get as much time as I would have hoped, as that was my main interest in picking up the book. It’s clear — the author says it herself — that her favorite sport is skiing, but this means that it’s overrepresented in the book to the point of sometimes going off on tangents.
There are obvious effects of climate change on winter sports — shortened seasons, unsustainable technology used to create artificial winter conditions — and less obvious effects, like the risk of “sled-head” concussions from unstable ice conditions. But the winter sports chapters also have long digressions into topics like a lack of diversity on ski slopes and poor mental health resources in ski towns. Important topics, to be sure, but the author doesn’t make a strong case for tying them in to climate change.
Still, Orr has both a broad and a nuanced knowledge of the effects of climate change from the amateur to the elite levels across sports, continents, and events. From the way Kenyan athletes have been able to excel in running due to affordable food costs allowing them to eat nutritious, caloric meals on modest incomes, and the way this is endangered by increasing droughts in the reasons, to the sustainability efforts of NFL venues like the Lincoln Financial Field (go birds) and the aptly named Climate Pledge Arena, to the history of and backlash against oil money sponsorship in cycling, soccer, and more, Orr adeptly covers the highs and lows of sports-related climate news and action.
I also particularly enjoyed the ending. Orr writes that she doesn’t want to lean too far into either doomerism or “hopium”, and instead offer realistic information that covers both the progress that is being made and how far we still have to go. She concludes the book by laying out two visions of what sports could look like in the coming decades in worst and best case climate scenarios, with a clear path and incentive to work toward the latter.
September 23, 2025
Madeleine Orr’s Warming Up is a wake‑up call for anyone who loves sports. This is not a book about cheering from the sidelines—it’s about what’s already happening to sport from climate change, and what we must do.
Orr, a sport ecologist, uses both research and powerful case studies to show the myriad ways warming, wildfires, rising seas, and air quality threaten sports at every level. From high school football practices in dangerously hot conditions (including a heartbreaking death from heat stroke) to shrinking opportunities for winter sports in snow‑reliant sections of the world, the disruptions are real and accelerating.
What makes Warming Up particularly effective is how Orr balances big climate realities with human stories—real athletes, coaches, and communities struggling with these changes. She reminds us that for many people, sport is more than competition—it’s community, identity, health, livelihood.
Critics claim the book feels overwhelming—with so many examples and data points, it can be hard to see where to begin, stating that Orr’s proposed adaptations feel ambitious or idealistic. For example, proposals like rethinking green infrastructure for sports venues or enforcing stricter heat policies are clearly needed, but implementation will be challenging. As we continue to see 'heat waves' during major sporting events we need to act now; if we wait it will be too late and the lag will mean that those trying to access sport, physical activity, and recreation may be unable to.
For coaches, athletes, sport administrators, and sport‑loving people, Warming Up is essential. It pushes us to see that climate disruption isn’t a distant threat—it’s already altering the field. This book urges us not just to adapt, but to act—and to demand systems in sport that protect people, the planet, and the opportunity to play.
Orr, a sport ecologist, uses both research and powerful case studies to show the myriad ways warming, wildfires, rising seas, and air quality threaten sports at every level. From high school football practices in dangerously hot conditions (including a heartbreaking death from heat stroke) to shrinking opportunities for winter sports in snow‑reliant sections of the world, the disruptions are real and accelerating.
What makes Warming Up particularly effective is how Orr balances big climate realities with human stories—real athletes, coaches, and communities struggling with these changes. She reminds us that for many people, sport is more than competition—it’s community, identity, health, livelihood.
Critics claim the book feels overwhelming—with so many examples and data points, it can be hard to see where to begin, stating that Orr’s proposed adaptations feel ambitious or idealistic. For example, proposals like rethinking green infrastructure for sports venues or enforcing stricter heat policies are clearly needed, but implementation will be challenging. As we continue to see 'heat waves' during major sporting events we need to act now; if we wait it will be too late and the lag will mean that those trying to access sport, physical activity, and recreation may be unable to.
For coaches, athletes, sport administrators, and sport‑loving people, Warming Up is essential. It pushes us to see that climate disruption isn’t a distant threat—it’s already altering the field. This book urges us not just to adapt, but to act—and to demand systems in sport that protect people, the planet, and the opportunity to play.
July 10, 2024
In this year of the Olympics - which I couldn’t care less about, don’t get me started on all of the ways in which I loathe the Olympics - this is a very fitting title.
And as someone who has been teaching and preaching about climate change for 40 years - this is a very fitting title.
Presumably this is, basically, her dissertation turned into a book - but this does not read like an academic paper.
This is an interesting look at the very real impacts of climate change on real people and places - through the lens of sport… sports that everyone can relate to… the sports that little boys and girls across the globe play in droves.
This is look at a future world where sport is no longer viable, on account of the impacts of climate change. Then what?
Recommended read.
And as someone who has been teaching and preaching about climate change for 40 years - this is a very fitting title.
Presumably this is, basically, her dissertation turned into a book - but this does not read like an academic paper.
This is an interesting look at the very real impacts of climate change on real people and places - through the lens of sport… sports that everyone can relate to… the sports that little boys and girls across the globe play in droves.
This is look at a future world where sport is no longer viable, on account of the impacts of climate change. Then what?
Recommended read.
February 27, 2025
Loved this book. It is clearly the product of a thoroughly researched project, that carefully attends to a complex global issue from a diversity of perspectives.
I actually really liked how each chapter could almost be read or treated separately. I think it makes them useful as one-off reads, and I suspect they would be really useful course material or even as readings for athletes or sport organizers who may want to read one chapter specifically.
Would definitely recommend this! Looking forward to more from this author!
I actually really liked how each chapter could almost be read or treated separately. I think it makes them useful as one-off reads, and I suspect they would be really useful course material or even as readings for athletes or sport organizers who may want to read one chapter specifically.
Would definitely recommend this! Looking forward to more from this author!
May 27, 2024
Ok, this was brilliant and honestly one of the best climate books I’ve read in a while!
A super in-depth and wide-ranging look at how sport and climate are interconnected. I found Orr actually did a really good job at ensuring this book was representative and not just global north centric, despite her background.
Would have loved more insight into amateur sporting and its interaction with climate - maybe a sequel could be an option? 👀
A super in-depth and wide-ranging look at how sport and climate are interconnected. I found Orr actually did a really good job at ensuring this book was representative and not just global north centric, despite her background.
Would have loved more insight into amateur sporting and its interaction with climate - maybe a sequel could be an option? 👀
November 3, 2024
This is a horrible book. Too often it veers away from global warming issues to discuss things like athletes taking a knee for social justice or there not being enough blacks at ski resorts - issues that either have no impact on global warming, or if addressed in the way that the author would like, would actually increase global warming. The author should have discussed issues regarding race and sport in a separate book.
December 27, 2024
This was a rather sobering read, and I think an important one for sports fans. I like that it covered a wide variety of sports and locations (though it was perhaps a bit too skiing-heavy for me). It's written in an engaging and accessible way. It can get a bit overwhelming at times because there is a lot of bad news, but the author acknowledges this and makes a real effort to include positive examples of what is working along with suggestions of what can be done.
June 16, 2024
excellent research, interesting read, those involved with sport have much to do to keep all sports going as a result of climate change this book explains why and gives many ideas to del with the problems
November 23, 2024
Well written and researched book. Lots of interesting insights into the nexus of sports and climate change. The tone and flow kept me engaged. Hopefully, we’ll continue to see more positive change and activism coming out of the world of sports.
December 10, 2024
A very good book dealing with climate change, but through the lens of sports around the world. Not an alarmist viewpoint; instead pointing out how changes to climate is, and has, changed sports and sporting events around the world, and how sports and sporting events will be affected in the future.
August 11, 2024
Fantastic read! Hits the right balance between doom and hope when it comes to climate. Doesn’t pull back from the impact of climate on sports or vice versa. But in the end, it offers a vision for what sports could become in the future as a driver for positive change!
January 8, 2025
Examples were a bit scattergun but raised several good issues
June 27, 2025
I have been looking forward to reading a book on the intersection of climate and sport for a while — and it’s surprising that so few exist. Orr dives into the topic, exploring sport’s carbon footprint and waste, how climate impacts threaten it ( from scheduling toon field performance to mental health to finances) and how fast the sports world can adapt.
“I’m writing to share stories of climate change in the sports world, to explain how this crisis is already impacting the places we place and to show that adaptation and mitigation are possible.”
We get real examples of leagues adapting, from stadiums being used as emergency centers to proper protocols put in place to deal with heat. We see rugby pitches with too much water, training fields drying up with lack of water, air pollution descending over games, the danger of outdoor events, and ski slopes closing under the pressure of warmer winters. We also see countless policies and tactics put in place to mitigate these effects.
The book covers are athletes, teams, and events that are impacted by climate hazards, as well as a narrative to how a future looks if sports steps up to the challenge, while highlighting the cultural relevance of sports: “Sport has the power to change the world if the sector intentionally organizes itself to do so.”
“I’m writing to share stories of climate change in the sports world, to explain how this crisis is already impacting the places we place and to show that adaptation and mitigation are possible.”
We get real examples of leagues adapting, from stadiums being used as emergency centers to proper protocols put in place to deal with heat. We see rugby pitches with too much water, training fields drying up with lack of water, air pollution descending over games, the danger of outdoor events, and ski slopes closing under the pressure of warmer winters. We also see countless policies and tactics put in place to mitigate these effects.
The book covers are athletes, teams, and events that are impacted by climate hazards, as well as a narrative to how a future looks if sports steps up to the challenge, while highlighting the cultural relevance of sports: “Sport has the power to change the world if the sector intentionally organizes itself to do so.”
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews