I’m writing this from a cabin on the edge of Algonquin Park, where it’s 28 degrees at the of May. It’s hot here, and there are wildfires burning across Canada.
I’m thinking again about physical activity in our changing climate. It’s not the first time. See Cycling in the heat: Can we keep doing it? And I’m not the only blogger thinking about it. Catherine wrote Climate change and physical activity: how to move now? Concern for the environment is behind lots of Diane Harper’s recent cycling posts.
It’s a wild, unsettled, and frightening time.
This week, two different stories popped into my social media newsfeeds about the effect changing climate is having on physical activity.
First, there’s this: Extreme weather making it harder to be active
“Three in five adults in England say extreme weather has had a negative impact on their ability to be physically active, according to new research by Sport England.
The funding agency is announcing a new investment package “to help sports battle climate change” as part its first environmental and sustainability strategy.
A total of £45m will be used “to help more people get active in nature, restore flooded sports pitches and help sports clubs become sustainable”.
And then there’s this, Climate change is a new hurdle for children’s physical activity levels in Canada
“With already low grades for children’s physical activity, climate change is emerging as a new barrier for children and youth to get more active.
For instance, the number of weather alerts in Canada is rapidly trending upwards, which could indicate an increased number of days where k”ids can’t play outside, recesses take place indoors, and sports and school days are cancelled.
Events like poor air quality from wildfire smoke, heat waves and heat domes are becoming more frequent during the summer, with climate scientists predicting they will only grow more intense.”
The connection between the health of the planet and the health of human beings got me thinking about one health approaches to the study of human, animal, and environmental well-being.
What does it mean for me personally?
July and August used to be my big riding months. No more. I think I’m likely to start thinking of recreational cycling outdoors as a spring and fall activity. It’s getting too warm here in southern Ontario.
Currently, my summer cycling plans have a gap between mid-June and mid-August, and maybe that’s okay.
But while recreational cycling outdoors moves to the fall, I also plan to increase my bike commuting year round. It’s never made sense to me to react to the heat outdoors by getting into an air-conditioned car. They’re part of the problem.
June is bike month here in Canada. See you out there!
