While climate change is expected to have deleterious effects on human health, the economy, and despite evidence that climate change is already impacting sport, the impacts of climate change on sport remain under-researched. This article addresses that gap by using projections of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report and known vulnerabilities of baseball and cross-country skiing to explore potential climate hazards facing both sports by 2065 and 2100.Findings: Potential hazards for baseball include hotter summer temperatures, increased frequency and severity of wildfires and tropical cyclones, and increased risk of coastal flooding. Cross-country skiing is likely to experience shorter, warmer winters, flooding, land cover changes due to forest fires, and rock slope failures. The analysis presented offers a regional overview of which climate hazards are most likely in each region the sport is practiced. Based on the findings, baseball and cross-country skiing managers must begin assessing and responding to the impending hazards and associated risks to their sport.
Cite: Orr, M. (2020). On the potential impacts of climate change on baseball and cross-country skiing. Managing Sport and Leisure. Ahead of print.
