Brazilian soccer star Tamires Dias highlights the urgent challenge climate change poses to athletes as she joins around 40 elite sports figures in launching a global campaign titled Adapt2Win. The initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust, aims to raise awareness and encourage governments to invest in climate adaptation measures ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil.
Dias, who has represented Brazil in two Women’s World Cups, emphasizes that the effects of climate change are increasingly visible in sports. Joining her in the campaign are notable athletes including Brazilian tennis player Beatriz Haddad Maia, surfer Maya Gabeira, and former England soccer player Raheem Sterling. The campaign is underscored by a hard-hitting film depicting the severe impacts of floods and fires on sports venues, set to be showcased at COP30.
In a poignant message, Dias states, “In sport, we learn to adapt every day — to new teams, new tactics, new opponents. But climate change is a different kind of opponent. It’s stronger, more unpredictable, and no one can face it alone.” This perspective is echoed by other athletes, including Sterling, who shares his firsthand experiences of climate change’s impact on communities in the Caribbean, calling for grassroots solutions and urging leaders to act decisively during COP30.
Organizers of the campaign highlight that climate-related disasters led to $417 billion in economic losses in 2024 alone, while under 10% of global climate finance has been allocated towards necessary adaptation measures. Athletes gathered for the campaign have signed an Open Letter, calling on leaders to prioritize climate initiatives.
The campaign also brings attention to ongoing grassroots efforts, such as SMS drought alerts in Kenya and heat-resilient maternal healthcare services in Sierra Leone. According to Ana Toni, CEO of the COP30 Presidency, “Adapt2Win reminds us that every sector, from governments to business to sports, has a role to play in creating change.”
The narratives from athletes like Nigerian soccer player Kenneth Omeruo reinforce the urgent need for adaptation, as he describes the alterations in seasonal weather patterns affecting his community and the football pitches on which they train. Omeruo’s reflections illustrate the broader challenges faced by many due to climate change, emphasizing that this is not merely a future concern but a daily reality.
As the world anticipates COP30, the involvement of prominent athletes in advocating for climate actions presents a hopeful avenue for increasing awareness and driving necessary changes to combat climate threats in sports and beyond.