For sports fans, nothing could be better than watching a live event on TV or at a sports field. But there’s nothing worse than that event being called off because of bad weather. Bad light, a water-logged court or too much heat can cause matches to be postponed. But according to the latest research, extreme weather might be disturbing the sporting calendar more than ever in the future.
In one sport, golf, major tournaments like The Open, are already predicted to be victims of our changing climate. In the UK, an organization called The Climate Coalition says that golf courses such as St Andrews could be under water by the end of the century if sea levels rise even slightly. It told the BBC that its research predicts "cancelled football matches, flooded cricket grounds and golf courses sinking into the sea."
The threat to sporting events from climate change has been further highlighted in a new report, officially approved and licensed by the Rapid Transition Alliance. Writing about this for the BBC, Matt McGrath says that "By 2050, it's estimated that almost one in four English football league grounds can expect flooding every year." This will mean fewer matches played, less opportunity to watch the beautiful game and reduced government taxation from ticket sales.
Cricket also faces huge challenges globally as temperatures rise in places like India, Australia and the West Indies. The report says that stadiums in Adelaide and Perth will see a 60% increase in days with temperatures over 40 degrees centigrade over the next decade.
Of course, we know that the solution lies with reducing our carbon footprint. We could travel less to attend sports events, and reduce our waste when we do go. But this latest report finds that sports leaders are generally failing to address the issue seriously. However, because sport is universally popular and can be very influential, maybe it should be players, teams and their sponsors as well as fans who should promote a wide low carbon message to help protect sporting fields—before it’s 'game over'.
12. What is the latest research above mainly concerned with?
A.the forbidden sporting events | B.the influential climate change |
C.the severe environmental pollution | D.the rising sea level |
13. What influence will the extreme weather have on the sports?
A.Football fans cannot afford the entrance fee. |
B.Overheat will largely affect the cricket calendar. |
C.The golf games will thoroughly disappear due to rising sea level. |
D.Sports leaders will face bigger challenges to lead their teams to win. |
14. What does the underlined part “
the issue” refer to in the last paragraph?
A.the constant increase in sea level | B.the fading popularity of sport events |
C.the changing attitude of sponsors. | D.the effective reduction of carbon footprint |
15. The research is introduced to us mainly to ___________.
A.inform the readers of the worsening global climate change |
B.require governments’ protection of sporting fields |
C.promote awareness of low carbon life on sports |
D.urge financial support from sponsors |