Warming Up: Climate Change and Sport | Bloomsbury | Guardian Sports Book of the Year

Overview

Warming Up pulls back the curtain on climate change's impact on sport, from the stadium to the training ground. Drawing on field reporting, athlete stories, and policy conversations, Madeleine Orr shows how warming is already shaping schedules, venues, and the fan experience.

Scenes from the frontlines

Imagine a world championship marathon run at midnight to dodge the sun, or athletes training with oxygen support as wildfire season blurs the air. The book threads these vivid moments into a larger picture of how environments interact with competition, commerce, and community.

• Midnight starts, adjusted calendars, and the logistics that ripple through teams and fans.
• Air quality and heat management as essential considerations for events and travel.
• Coasts, mountains, and venues adapting to shifting seasons, erosion, and sea level rise.
• Conversations with athletes, coaches, policymakers, and observers about what could come next.

What you might gain

The book offers a play-by-play of climate pressures and a forward-looking, hopeful lens. It frames strategies, research, and case studies as possibilities—sensibly presented, not promises—inviting readers to imagine how sport can endure and evolve.

• Insight into diverse climate-related challenges across sports disciplines
• Real-world stories from the front lines of competition
• Policy and leadership perspectives that illuminate pathways for adaptation
• A balanced blend of urgency and optimism to inform fans and professionals

Why this title matters

Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2024, this work places sport at the center of climate conversations, encouraging dialogue among athletes, venues, media, and fans about resilient, creative responses.

Who should read it

Fans, journalists, coaches, and policymakers who care about the future of sport will find grounded analysis, compelling anecdotes, and actionable ideas—without sensationalism.

• Readers seeking context for how climate change intersects with sport's economics and culture
• Professionals looking for frameworks to discuss adaptation and resilience
• General readers who love sport and want to understand the stakes

Author and approach

Madeleine Orr, a leading sport ecologist, blends interviews, field notes, and rigorous research to map the present and propose thoughtful directions for the future, emphasizing collaboration and evidence over hype.