FIFA Doesn’t Have a Plan to Deal With Climate Change
FIFA faces criticism for lacking contingency plans regarding wildfire smoke exposure for players and fans during major tournaments. Despite having protocols for extreme heat, the organization has not addressed the health risks posed by poor air quality from regional wildfires.
Why it matters
The lack of climate-related safety protocols in major sports highlights the growing tension between global event scheduling and the unpredictable health impacts of climate change.
Wildfire smoke blowing from Canada has blanketed large swaths of the Midwest and East Coast in recent days, impacting more than a dozen states, with some of the worst-hit cities facing air quality in ranges considered hazardous. New Yorkers are among those who have been watching their air turn orange and hazy this week. On Thursday, the state issued an alert as the air quality index climbed to “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” levels. “Avoid spending time outdoors, if possible,” officials advised.
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