Climate change threatens future Winter Olympics, new UW study says

As winter temperatures continue to increase, unless global emissions are dramatically reduced, climate change will limit where the Winter Olympics can be held, according to a new international study led by University of Waterloo researchers. 

If emissions aren't reduced, only one of the 21 cities that previously hosted the Winter Olympics will be able to provide safe conditions for the snow sports program by the end of this century. However, the number of reliable cities rises to eight if the Paris Agreement emission targets can be met. 

Most of the unreliable conditions are expected to be seen in European cities. 

“The world of winter sport is changing as climate change accelerates, and the international athletes and coaches we surveyed are witnessing the impacts at competition and training locations, including the Olympics,” said Daniel Scott, a professor of Geography and Environmental Management at Waterloo.

Researchers reviewed historical climate data dating back to the 1920s, as well as future climate scenarios towards the latter half of the century. 

They also found that 89 per cent of international athletes and coaches interviewed, nearly 90 per cent said changing weather patterns are affecting competition conditions.  

“No sport can escape the impacts of a changing climate. Achieving the Paris Agreement targets is critical to save snow sports as we know it and ensure there are places across the world to host the Winter Olympics,” said Scott.

You can read the full release on the study here.