Growing up in a volleyball family, playing volleyball in a club, and enjoying grass and beach volleyball, the growing thought of climate change made me realize that I would not be able to play the sport I am passionate about.

Environmental elements have greatly influenced my capacity to enjoy and engage in the activity.

The rising temperatures and air pollution in my location have made it challenging for me to participate in the activity without becoming weary and ill. This is why I have to take the initiative to write about this because if not now, climate change will forever destroy the sports community as we know it.

Climatic change refers to the planet’s long-term warming and changes in global climate patterns observed over the last several decades. The emission of greenhouse gases mainly drives this warming into the atmosphere through human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture.

Climate change is a growing threat to sports worldwide, and volleyball is no exception. As the Earth’s temperature rises, many outdoor sports are being disrupted by extreme weather events such as heat waves and heavy rainfall.

Heatwaves can be dangerous for volleyball players, as they can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In 2018, the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in Vienna had to be canceled due to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius.

“Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense, and this is a real concern for outdoor sports like volleyball,” said Billie Jean King, a former professional tennis player, and advocate for climate action. Not just heatwaves will affect volleyball, but the increase in heavy rain and flooding.

Many tournaments will get canceled due to these events, which will affect not only the players and fans but the economy as well. These events will significantly impact tourism and other industries, as these volleyball tournaments, especially international competitions, are significant sources of revenue for local communities.

So it’s best in our interest for us to protect our environment for our enjoyment and to support our local communities.

These environmental factors have significantly impacted my passion for beach volleyball. I have always loved the sport and have been passionate about playing and improving, but the increasing heat and air pollution have made it difficult for me to enjoy and participate in the way that I used to. Not only is it difficult to participate in, but it is outright disgusting.

The beach used to be a tranquil and ideal setting, with blue water softly lapping against the golden sand. The sand is now littered with trash and other sorts of pollution, the water is murky and oily, and the air is dense with the odor of automobile fumes.

New York beaches will soon be no more a site of beauty and delight, but of ruin and misery, a witness to pollution’s and environmental degradation’s devastating force. It’s a spectacle that should make us all ashamed and serves as a reminder of the critical need to take action to protect our world and maintain its natural beauty.

Many may argue that efforts to protect the environment can be expensive and can limit economic growth and that the benefits of these efforts are not worth the costs. They may also argue that regulations and policies designed to protect the environment can be burdensome and infringe on individual rights.

However, these cons do not outweigh the pros, as even though these efforts can be burdensome and expensive, they are necessary. The longer we wait, the more expensive this will become.

The Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, with rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These changes are causing widespread harm, including loss of life, destruction of property, and disruption of ecosystems and economies.
Although the process of stopping climate change will take time, it is essential that we start now. The longer we wait, the more severe and damaging the impacts of climate change will become.

Fortunately, there are several ways that we can stop climate change and mitigate its impacts, but one of the most effective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere and cause the Earth’s temperature to rise.

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions is burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and heating. To reduce these emissions, we can switch to clean, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

We can also use other modes of transportation, which include taking the subway and bus, which are much more eco-friendly. Overall, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial step in stopping climate change and protecting our planet. By taking action now, we can prevent further damage to the Earth and ensure playing volleyball is safer and more enjoyable.

Daniel Henriquez
Farmingdale
Student at Columbia University