Will Global Warming Ruin Football in the South?

[marmar]

from Climate Progress:



Will Global Warming Ruin Football in the South?
By Joe Romm on Feb 5, 2012 at 3:00 pm





Back in November, GE’s TXCHNOLOGIST blog pointed out that climate change “could ruin Texas football,” indeed all southern U.S. football:

The effects of climate change, so far, have been most noticeable in Texas, where a terrible drought has dried up football fields in small towns that used to look forward to Friday nights above all. But climate change will have a terrible effect on communities throughout the cradle of football in the Southern and plains states.

Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas. The home states of the last five college football champions? Yes. But these are also states that are projected to experience 150-180 days a year with peak temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit by the final decades of the 21st Century. That’s almost six months of the year. In parts of Florida and Texas the number is likely to exceed 180 days a year. Not only will the high temperatures be hotter, the lows will also be higher, so there will be less relief from the sultry conditions. This warming effect will have devastating effects on the ecology and economies of these area and make watching and playing football outdoors almost unbearable.

This isn’t news to Climate Progress readers (see NASA’s Hansen: “If We Stay on With Business as Usual, the Southern U.S. Will Become Almost Uninhabitable.” But it is going to come as a big shock to the football fans throughout the region, many of whom have been heavily disinformed by their politicians and favorite media outlets.

Indeed, it is the conservative southern U.S., especially the South central and South east, who have led the way in blocking serious climate action, as it were, making yesterday’s worst-case scenario into today’s likely outcome. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2012/02/05/419061/will-global-warming-ruin-football-in-the-south/

[Zambero]

1. In Miami, football would have to be played in the water

The Dolphins? Under these circumstances, there would be no need to change the name of this particular team.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. This past summer (tx) was unbearable.

I fear the coming summer. I really want to move from here.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. If it finally motivated them. n/t

[Fawke Em]

4. It already has!

I endured a near tornado at a football game in OCTOBER. That season used to end in late August/early September.

[SidDithers]

5. Maybe they'll get smart and make football a winter sport in the South...

High School football practices in Texas in August are fucking ridiculous.

Sid

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Yeah, they'd move the season a bit, and play on artificial grass

I can't see football being the thing that convinces southerners that global warming is real and man-made. General climate, increased hurricanes and so on will be far more important.

[raouldukelives]

7. The approaching deaths of countless animals & people

aren't motivation enough for them. Or anyone I see on a day to day basis anywhere in the US.
Is it possible this information might start swaying them? How sad is that.
"Hey, you won't be able to play your games!"
"Oh my God! No! Not the games! Kill it all but leave us our games!"

[stuntcat]

8. yah

+1

[ZombieHorde]

9. Perhaps the threat to their entertainment will change their minds

on climate change.

[Kwarg]

10. I predict that between 2080-2099

Football will be played on the Moon, the 51st state... In the stadium across the street from the Helium 13 mine.