Beth Mead: 'If we don't adapt to climate change, football becomes a privilege, not a right'

Climate Change is Not Just a Future Threat, But an Immediate Reality in Football

The sweltering heat of a 30C day in Switzerland still haunts me - the air felt heavy with temperature, not pressure or expectation. It was a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing reality for footballers like me.

We prepared as best we could, from ice vests to hydration breaks and cryotherapy sessions. But even with all these measures in place, the game's tempo slowed down. Recovery took longer, every sprint or tackle now costing us more energy. It was a stark contrast to how things were just a few years ago.

This was not an isolated incident; extreme weather conditions are becoming increasingly common. Floods wash away pitches, drought turns fields to dust, and heatwaves render outdoor matches unplayable. The very conditions that make football inclusive - open spaces, shared environments - are disappearing.

The world's most accessible sport is now becoming a privilege, not a right. It's time for us to adapt to this new reality and protect the game we love.

To achieve this, I've joined forces with over 40 athletes from various sports, including surfing, basketball, and rugby, as part of Adapt2Win - a global campaign calling on world leaders to invest in climate adaptation now.

Adaptation is not about giving up; it's about finding ways to keep going. It's about creating better water systems, smarter cities, stronger healthcare, and fairer access to finance for those who need it most. It's about resilience - the same quality every athlete trains to build.

As global leaders gather at Cop30 in Brazil to shape the next decade of climate action, I'm hopeful that this is the moment to turn the game around. We need to invest in solutions that will help people everywhere adapt to the changing climate now.

Some argue that focusing on adaptation takes attention or funding away from cutting emissions. But this is a false choice. Investing in adaptation isn't a distraction from tackling the causes of climate change; it's how we protect people while we do it.

Adaptation saves lives and drives progress, not charity or compromise - it's strategy. It's how we keep sport alive as a force for unity and hope.

As athletes, we push our limits every day. But when the climate is pushing back, it's time for the world to step up. We need to adapt like we do on the pitch because if we can learn anything from sport, it's that when the odds are stacked against you, there's only one way to win: you adapt.

Now it's time for the world to do the same and turn the game around in favour of a sustainable future.

I'm literally sweating just reading this climate change is not just about polar bears or rising sea levels its about our ability to play, train, and live without being held back by extreme weather conditions 40 athletes coming together to demand action from world leaders is a great start but we need to see more Adaptation isn't about giving up its about finding ways to keep going and creating a better future for everyone

omg u no?? climate change is defo real life now like i was out on the pitch last yr in switzerland and it was literally 30 degrees celsius and u cud feel the heat rn u had to wear an ice vest just to cool down lol but seriously its not just about us athletes we have to think about the future of football and all the other sports that rely on outdoor pitches we need 2 adapt and protect our game ASAP i'm all for investin in solutions that will help ppl everywhere adapt 2 the changing climate now

I mean, come on... a 30C day in Switzerland? That's just ridiculous! And now they're saying climate change is an immediate reality for footballers? It's not just about us, it's about the environment and everyone else too . Can we please focus on finding actual solutions instead of just complaining about the heat ? And what's with all these athletes banding together to save the world? I'm just trying to keep up with the latest transfer news without having to read a whole manifesto .

can't believe how much the climate is already affecting our beautiful game... i mean, swiss football just can't even handle a 30 degree day lol... like what's next? pitch flooding everywhere? it's not about giving up, it's about finding ways to keep going but honestly, this feels like just delaying the inevitable . we need world leaders to step up their game (no pun intended) and invest in climate adaptation now or else sports like football will be a luxury only some can afford . adaptation isn't just about survival, it's about resilience... same quality we train for but somehow we're not translating that to saving the planet .

I'm literally worried about our football fields getting washed away by floods . Climate change is no joke, you know? It's not just about the heat or the cold, it's about the fact that extreme weather conditions are becoming super common. And if we can't even play football anymore because of it , what does that say about our planet?! We need to invest in climate adaptation now, like our athlete friend is saying . It's not just about us athletes, but about everyone who loves the game or wants to play it safely. The fact that we're partnering with other sports to make a change is really inspiring . Let's hope world leaders take action at Cop30 and help us adapt for a sustainable future

just had this thought while watching football... heat is taking its toll on players and pitch conditions are getting worse by the day... shouldn't we be thinking about how to make the sport more sustainable? instead of just complaining about the heat?

I remember last year's Wimbledon tournament - the heat was unbearable! They had to play with fans kept at bay outside the grounds. It was crazy . And now this is what football players are facing every day? It's heartbreaking to see such amazing athletes struggling due to something that we can all do something about.

I think it's awesome that there's a global campaign like Adapt2Win to raise awareness and push for climate adaptation efforts. We need more people from the sports world using their platforms to make a difference .

man i feel u climate change is defo not just a future problem its already affecting sports worldwide right now! the heat in switzerland was brutal even with all the prep they did it was still super tough 4 them athletes u gotta give em credit for adapting & fighting on though

OMG, I'm low-key stressed about this ! Like seriously, football is already super physically demanding but now we gotta deal with crazy heat & floods? It's like our bodies are the ultimate test subjects for Mother Nature . I feel you, bro, adapting to climate change is key, not just for us athletes but for the entire world . Investing in solutions that help people adapt now isn't about taking away from emissions reduction, it's more like... we gotta protect ourselves while trying to save the planet . It's all about resilience, you know? Let's get behind this Adapt2Win campaign and show the world that we're not just athletes, but also climate leaders

Climate change isn't just about saving the planet, it's about staying relevant on the pitch too! We need to get our act together before the heat becomes permanent

the thing is i was at this football match last year and it was literally sweltering hot and our team just couldn't keep up the pace , but this year it was way worse because of climate change. like, we had to wear ice vests and take so many breaks... it's not just about us athletes though, it's about the whole sport . i mean, football is supposed to be all about community and being inclusive, but now floods are washing away pitches and heatwaves are making outdoor matches impossible . we need to find ways to adapt to this new reality, like creating better water systems and smarter cities . it's not a zero-sum game where we have to choose between tackling climate change and adapting to it . i'm hoping that the world leaders gathering in brazil will make some real progress on this .

I've been noticing this trend for a while now - extreme weather conditions are super affecting outdoor sports like football. It's not just about the heat, though that was intense . The point is, these conditions are becoming more common and it's time we start adapting.

I love how the author is teaming up with athletes from different sports to make this happen. It shows that even in the world of sports, we can put aside our rivalries and work together . And I agree, adaptation isn't about giving up - it's about finding new ways to play the game.

It's also interesting to see how this is tied into the global climate action discussions at Cop30. It feels like a no-brainer that we need to invest in solutions that help people adapt to changing weather patterns . And I'm with you, adaptation isn't a distraction from reducing emissions - it's about finding a balance and protecting people while we work on the causes.

I'd love to see more initiatives like this coming together to create a more sustainable future for sports and beyond

I'm still getting used to the heat in tournaments abroad . It's like they're trying to test our endurance... or is it just the planet? The thing is, climate change isn't just about the future - it's happening now. I remember last season's matches in Europe were already feeling pretty intense due to the heatwaves. And you know what? We adapted with ice vests and hydration breaks, but we're only doing that because of the extreme weather conditions .

It's not just about football, though. I've joined this campaign Adapt2Win with other athletes from different sports to push for climate adaptation now . It's not a choice between fighting pollution and helping people adapt - it's how you do both at the same time. We need to create better water systems, smarter cities, and fairer access to finance so everyone can survive in this changing world.

I'm hoping the leaders at Cop30 will make some real changes. We can't keep relying on charity or compromise when we have solutions that save lives and drive progress . It's time for us all to adapt like athletes do on the pitch - no matter how stacked the odds are against you, there's only one way to win: you step up and make a change .

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole climate thing... I mean, 30C in Switzerland is crazy! I remember when the hottest temperatures were like 35C and that was considered hot. But seriously, extreme weather conditions are becoming so common it's affecting sports. Like, who needs a football pitch to be playable? It's not just about the players, it's about the whole ecosystem. And this Adapt2Win thing is actually kinda cool. I'm all for athletes coming together to make a difference.

I'm getting so tired of playing football in this crazy heat I mean, we used to just sweat it out on the pitch and call it a day, but now it's like our bodies are against us. Every sprint feels like running up a mountain, and after every game, I'm like "where did all that energy go?" I get what the writer is saying, though - climate change isn't just some future problem, it's real right now. It's already affecting sports, especially ones like ours that need fresh air to play. We need to adapt, not just as athletes but as a society

The fact that extreme weather conditions are affecting football pitches is super worrying . I mean, who doesn't love a good game of footy? But seriously, it's like the rules of the game are changing before our eyes. We need to find ways to adapt to this new reality instead of just complaining about it . I'm all for investing in solutions that help people everywhere cope with climate change. It's not about choosing between reducing emissions and adapting to the changes we're already seeing, it's about finding a way forward . As someone who loves sports, I think this is a perfect example of how the world needs to come together to address this global issue .

I'm reading about how climate change is making football really tough . Players have to deal with super hot days that slow them down, like what happened in Switzerland 30C day . And it's not just one team that's affected, other sports like surfing and basketball are also struggling with extreme weather . I'm all for adapting to the new reality of climate change, but it's hard to see how this will save lives when heatwaves make outdoor matches impossible .

I remember playing football outdoors as a kid, running around with my friends 'til the streetlights came on. Nowadays, I wouldn't wish that heat on my worst enemy . Climate change is no joke, it's not just about melting ice caps or polar bears, it's about the everyday struggles of athletes like me.

I'm all for innovation and trying new things . But let's be real, most of us can't afford to live in air-conditioned stadiums 24/7 . We need solutions that are practical, not just idealistic. That's why I support Adapt2Win - it's about finding ways to make the game more inclusive, not less .

And you know what really gets me? The idea that we have to choose between fighting climate change and helping athletes adapt . That's a false choice. We need to do both, for the love of sport and the health of our planet .

I'm still shaking my head about those 30C days in Switzerland... I mean, what's next? Extreme heat waves during Wimbledon? It's crazy how climate change is affecting sports like football, which are already physically demanding enough. We need to get on board with the Adapt2Win campaign ASAP - it's not just about saving our games, but people's lives too