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A rendering of the proposed ballpark in Oakland. Image: Bjarke Ingles Group/Bjarke Ingles Group via The Washington Post
A new stadium is a major economic boon and a huge financial commitment for the cities and sports teams that build them — and as a result, increasingly climate change impacts on these facilities are being taken into account in the building process. The Washington Post reported last week that if sea levels were to rise 5 or 6 feet, which is within the realm of possibility, numerous arenas and sports facilities in the United States would likely experience flooding including “TD Garden in Boston, Citi Field in New York, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Petco Park in San Diego, Del Mar Racetrack in California, and Oracle Park in San Francisco” with huge economic consequences.
Why This Matters: Because stadiums and arenas are so expensive and so iconic — think Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium — the builders have to confront today the question of climate impacts such as sea-level rise and extreme heat projected well into the future. These problems are not just for Qatar and the 2022 World Cup. They are also top of mind considerations for new stadiums being developed in places like Oakland, where the Athletics are planning a new waterfront ballpark, and Miami, where Major League Soccer expansion team Inter Miami FC is hoping to build a 25,000-seat stadium near the airport. Billions of dollars are at stake — and it’s even more complicated than just money. Fortifying a stadium against rising waters might be good for the ballpark and its fans, but it could cause water issues for surrounding areas by pushing water their way.
Oakland’s Planned Waterfront BallPark
Oakland is planning a new stadium on the site of a former shipping terminal — 55 acres of waterfront property alongside an estuary. It is slated for a neighborhood that the team hopes it can help to transform with the ballpark “serving as a cornerstone” for the development of new housing and businesses.
As waters rise, the owners believe that the “land can be molded to include berms, terraces, steps and even sea walls that can divert or block water and protect the surrounding area.”
To Go Deeper: We recommend the entire Post story — read it here — it is worth your time, sports fans.
And last but not least, Let’s Gooooooo Nationals! Good luck in Houston tomorrow night – we’ll be rooting for another curly W!
“You can’t find a Utahn who doesn’t really care about clean air and clean water.” @RepJohnCurtis said his goal is to find ways “to make them feel more comfortable [politically] talking about it.” @LeeDavi49903322 #climate https://t.co/jVpPBJq0GE — CCL Salt Lake City (@CCLsaltlake) February 19, 2021 By Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer Representative John Curtis of […]
Climate change is the biggest threat facing the world, and yesterday’s United Nations Security Council meeting was focused on the topic. United States climate envoy John Kerry, who participated in the virtual meeting, warned that ignoring the crisis and its threats to global security would mean “marching forward to what is almost tantamount to a mutual suicide pact.”
Why this Matters: Global food security, poverty rates, and public health are all negatively impacted by climate change. These destabilizing forces are already driving people to migrate and shifting power balances on the international stage.
On Friday, the U.S. officially rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change. Just under one month into his term, President Biden has officially reversed one major element of Trump’s intended legacy, and climate officials across the globe are welcoming our nation back with open arms.
Why This Matters: The last four years proved to be a disaster for the climate.
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