Physical activity is essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases, but have you ever considered how climate change affects our ability to stay active—and how our movement impacts the planet? This recent umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses highlights this complex relationship, offering insights into both the risks and potential solutions.
PRC’s own Milena Franco Silva and Rodrigo Siqueira Reis, among others, have explored how rising temperatures can initially encourage outdoor activity. However, beyond a certain threshold, extreme heat and worsening air pollution can make exercise unsafe, particularly for vulnerable populations. Marginalized communities, often lacking access to green spaces or cooling infrastructure, bear the greatest burden of these environmental changes.
At the same time, physical activity has the potential to either mitigate or contribute to climate change. Active transportation methods such as walking and cycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offering a sustainable alternative to car-dependent lifestyles. However, large-scale sporting events—especially those requiring extensive transportation networks—can have the opposite effect, increasing carbon emissions. Thoughtful urban planning and climate-conscious policies can help strike a balance, ensuring that the promotion of physical activity does not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
As the climate crisis intensifies, it is more important than ever to integrate climate adaptation strategies into physical activity infrastructure. This means designing cities that encourage safe, active movement while minimizing environmental harm. From policymakers to individuals, we all have a role to play in rethinking the way we move to promote both public health and planetary well-being.