Climate change is transforming football in ways both seen and unseen, according to Beth Mead, the England forward who won back-to-back European championships with her team. The high temperatures during their tournament games meant that players were forced to adapt to new conditions - and it was no different from what athletes do all over the world.
From ice vests before training sessions to hydration breaks and cryotherapy treatment, everything was done to prepare the English footballers for the heat wave in Switzerland. But once the game started, there was nothing they could do about the scorching temperatures that made every sprint cost a little more than usual.
Mead explained that players were now having to switch roles mid-game as the tempo of the game slowed down due to the climate conditions. This changed their role from forward into midfield and highlighted the importance of adaptability in football - an ability that also serves them well off the pitch, according to Mead.
Her message is not only about how she experiences climate change but also about its far-reaching impacts on communities all over the world. She has joined a global campaign backed by 40 athletes, calling for governments to invest now in climate adaptation measures.
"We are not just talking about athletes here," Mead said. "We're talking about billions of people who are already being hit by extreme weather events and whose lives are at risk."
Mead believes that the fight against climate change should be a collective effort rather than a competition between countries, which she described as a false choice between focusing on adaptation or reducing emissions.
"Adaptation saves lives and drives progress," Mead said. "It's not charity or compromise - it's strategy. It's how we keep sport alive as a force for unity and hope."
She hopes that world leaders meeting at Cop30 in Brazil will decide to turn the game around by investing in solutions to adapt to the changing climate now.
The athlete believes that adaptation means learning to be flexible and responsive, just like athletes do during their training. And it's this spirit of resilience and determination that Mead is hoping will inspire the world to act on climate change.
In a way, football has always been an equaliser. Anybody can play the game - whether you're from a wealthy or impoverished background. But the changing weather patterns are making it increasingly difficult for people around the world to enjoy the sport they love.
The pitch being washed away by floods and turning into dust due to droughts is just one example of how climate change is affecting football grounds across the globe. The very conditions that make the game inclusive - open spaces, shared environments - are disappearing at an alarming rate.
If left unchecked, climate change will turn football into a privilege rather than a right. It's up to world leaders and governments now to take decisive action to protect the sport they know is loved by so many people around the globe.
From ice vests before training sessions to hydration breaks and cryotherapy treatment, everything was done to prepare the English footballers for the heat wave in Switzerland. But once the game started, there was nothing they could do about the scorching temperatures that made every sprint cost a little more than usual.
Mead explained that players were now having to switch roles mid-game as the tempo of the game slowed down due to the climate conditions. This changed their role from forward into midfield and highlighted the importance of adaptability in football - an ability that also serves them well off the pitch, according to Mead.
Her message is not only about how she experiences climate change but also about its far-reaching impacts on communities all over the world. She has joined a global campaign backed by 40 athletes, calling for governments to invest now in climate adaptation measures.
"We are not just talking about athletes here," Mead said. "We're talking about billions of people who are already being hit by extreme weather events and whose lives are at risk."
Mead believes that the fight against climate change should be a collective effort rather than a competition between countries, which she described as a false choice between focusing on adaptation or reducing emissions.
"Adaptation saves lives and drives progress," Mead said. "It's not charity or compromise - it's strategy. It's how we keep sport alive as a force for unity and hope."
She hopes that world leaders meeting at Cop30 in Brazil will decide to turn the game around by investing in solutions to adapt to the changing climate now.
The athlete believes that adaptation means learning to be flexible and responsive, just like athletes do during their training. And it's this spirit of resilience and determination that Mead is hoping will inspire the world to act on climate change.
In a way, football has always been an equaliser. Anybody can play the game - whether you're from a wealthy or impoverished background. But the changing weather patterns are making it increasingly difficult for people around the world to enjoy the sport they love.
The pitch being washed away by floods and turning into dust due to droughts is just one example of how climate change is affecting football grounds across the globe. The very conditions that make the game inclusive - open spaces, shared environments - are disappearing at an alarming rate.
If left unchecked, climate change will turn football into a privilege rather than a right. It's up to world leaders and governments now to take decisive action to protect the sport they know is loved by so many people around the globe.
[GIF of a football player sweating]
[GIF of a person running from a tornado]
[GIF of a person holding a green and blue ball, symbolizing unity and hope]
[GIF of a football player looking worried]
I'm thinking about how weird it is that we need athletes like Beth Mead to tell us about climate change and its effects on our societies... meanwhile, there are already scientists and experts out there studying it too 
. And btw, wouldn't it be awesome if world leaders could just agree on a solution instead of having to choose between adapting and reducing emissions? 
I'm literally freaking out thinking about this! Like, I know we all love football and it's an amazing way for people from different backgrounds to come together... but what if it disappears?! 
Climate change is seriously affecting the game and it's not just about the temperature or the pitch getting washed away. It's about people's lives being at risk because of extreme weather events! 
We need world leaders to take action NOW! 
It's not a choice between adaptation and reducing emissions, it's both! We can adapt and reduce our emissions at the same time. 
And I love how Beth Mead is using her platform to spread awareness and inspire people to act on climate change. She's right, we need to be flexible and responsive like athletes do during training. We need to keep sport alive as a force for unity and hope! 
It's not just about football, it's about our future! 
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. We need to be flexible and responsive, like athletes do during training 
. And I love how Beth is saying that adaptation isn't about charity or compromise - it's about strategy 
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. If we don't take action now, I worry that football will become a privilege rather than a right 
. We need more people like Beth speaking out and pushing for change 
I was reading about how the heat wave in Switzerland affected the England football team and it got me thinking, this is not a new problem for athletes 
Now they're using cryotherapy treatment to cool down. And what's with hydration breaks? I mean, I've seen athletes drink water during games too, but it's like they knew something was coming.
i mean its already happening with flooding n droughts affecting pitches everywhere it makes no sense 4 us 2 choose b/w adaptin or reducin emissions when both r needed ASAP 
and i love what Beth Mead said about it being a collective effort rather than a competition between countries... we need world leaders to come together on this ASAP