It's getting more dangerous for kids to play summer sports - Climate Connections

Summary2 min read

Climate Connections – "It's getting more dangerous for kids to play summer sports"

Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz
Guest: Jessica Murphree, Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, UNC Chapel Hill
Air Date: July 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This concise episode explores the increasing dangers young athletes face when playing summer sports due to rising temperatures fueled by global warming. Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz and guest Jessica Murphree discuss the heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, the uneven impact on certain communities, and practical steps to protect children as summer heat intensifies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Heat Exposure Risks for Young Athletes

[00:01] Dr. Leiserowitz highlights that children participating in outdoor sports—like Little League or football—are playing in increasingly hotter conditions due to climate change.
Extreme heat puts young athletes at risk for heat-related illnesses, which are now a growing concern.

2. Urban Areas and the ‘Heat Island’ Effect

[00:35] Jessica Murphree:
- Notes that children in urban environments face higher danger due to "concrete and asphalt" absorbing and radiating heat, causing higher local temperatures.
- Quote: "You can experience much higher temperatures in these areas than others that have more green spaces."
  (B, 00:35)

3. Resource Disparity in Team Safety

[00:44] Many youth sports teams, especially in under-resourced communities, do not have access to:
- Cold water immersion tubs, which are critical for treating heat illness in emergencies.
- Professional athletic trainers, who are vital for monitoring safety and responding to emergencies.
- Quote: "Their presence alone can be such a luxury, and not every child has access to those things."
  (B, 00:56)

4. Socioeconomic Gaps and Indoor Alternatives

[01:03] In low-income communities, teams may lack access to air-conditioned facilities, limiting their ability to move activities indoors during dangerously hot weather.

5. Call to Action for Adults

[01:08] Murphree emphasizes the importance of coaches and families recognizing the risks of extreme heat.
- Being proactive and informed is essential to keeping all young athletes safe as the climate gets hotter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the urban heat vulnerability:
- “You can experience much higher temperatures in these areas than others that have more green spaces.”
  — Jessica Murphree, [00:35]
On unequal access to sports safety resources:
- “Their presence alone can be such a luxury, and not every child has access to those things.”
  — Jessica Murphree, [00:56]

Useful Timestamps

00:01 – Introduction to the topic: summer sports and heat risk
00:35 – Murphree on urban heat and vulnerable communities
00:44 – Discussion of resource disparities in heat safety
01:03 – Barriers in low-income areas to indoor alternatives
01:08 – Call to action for coaches and parents

Takeaway

Rising summer temperatures mean greater risks for young athletes—especially in cities and under-resourced communities lacking cooling infrastructure and trained supervision. Coaches, parents, and public health advocates must recognize these dangers and take steps to ensure every child has a safe environment to play.

For more on climate change and solutions, listeners are encouraged to visit climateconnections.org.

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Transcript5 lines

[00:02]
A
I'm Dr. Anthony Liesiewicz and this is Climate Connections. From Little League tournaments to preseason football practices, young athletes often play outside on hot summer days. And as the climate warms, they're increasingly at risk of heat related illness. Jessica Murphree, an assistant professor of exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says kids in some communities are more vulnerable than others. The dangers are often greatest in cities because concrete and asphalt absorb heat.
[00:36]
B
You can experience much higher temperatures in these areas than others that have more green spaces.
[00:44]
A
And she says youth sports teams often lack resources to help keep kids safe, like cold water immersion tubs to use in an emergency, or professional athletic trainers who are experts in player safety.
[00:56]
B
Their presence alone can be such a luxury, and not every child has access to those things.
[01:04]
A
In low income areas, teams may also lack access to air conditioned buildings so they cannot move inside on extremely hot days. So Murphree says it's important for coaches and families to be aware of the risks of extreme heat and take steps to keep all young athletes safe. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.