Climate change is not a concern far in the future; it’s a reality impacting sports all over the world, cricket, in particular. Whether it’s extreme weather halting games or calls for sustainable practice, there’s much for the game to adapt to environmental change.
At CricSick, we delve into cricket climate change and how the game is changing for sustainability.Â
Table of Contents
How Climate Change Impacts Cricket
1. Extreme Weather Events
- Erratic weather patterns continue to halt matches and player safety.
- Example: Australia’s hot summers increase the chances of health hazards to the players.
Matches postponed due to rain, as witnessed during the ICC World Cup 2019, depict an increasing trend of unpredictability in conditions.
2. Vulnerability of the venue
- Coastal venues, like Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka, are threatened by the increasing sea levels.
- Frequent drought and excessive rain cause damage to pitches and often lead to cancellations and expensive repairs.
3. Cricket and the Environment
- International tours account for a lot of carbon emissions because of air travel.
- Massive events create waste, from single-use plastics to energy consumption.
Sustainable Cricket
- Green Stadiums
- Installation of solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems at stadiums such as the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
- LED floodlights to minimise energy usage.
- Carbon Neutral Programs
- Cricket South Africa has implemented programs to balance emissions during matches.
- Teams and organisations run campaigns for reforestation and renewable energy.
Innovations in Equipment
Studies on bio-based materials for cricketing apparatus, like biodegradable cricket balls and bats.
Role of Fans
- Eco-friendly practices like travelling in a carpool for the matches.
- Promote campaigns for minimising the impact of cricket on the environment.
Conclusion
Climate change is posing a massive challenge to the future of cricket, but innovative sustainability is adapting the game. We, at CricSick, make sure to keep our viewers updated with all these necessary changes. Here’s how cricket is adopting green approaches to make its existence worthwhile.
