Why we need to 'climate proof' our sports stadiums

For many Australians summer is synonymous with cricket and tennis. But as Australian summers become more prone to extreme heat conditions, sustainable and climate-adaptable stadium design has become a leading consideration for both sporting codes and governments.

The SCG was measured at 57.6 degrees
Celsius on Sunday during the fifth Ashes Test.

The final Ashes Test played at the Sydney Cricket Ground recently showed that the cricketing community must adapt to heatwaves made worse by climate change.

And in recent years the Australian Open has produced many stories of both tennis players and spectators suffering in extreme heat. And more are expected over the two weeks of the current tournament.

As the New South Wales Government embarks on a hugely expensive rebuild of major stadiums across Sydney, now is a good time to ask whether major Australian sports venues are adequately "climate-proofed" for a warming future.

Read the story on ABC News from The Conversation by Macquarie University’s Paul J Govind - “Why we need to 'climate proof' our sports stadiums.”