Climate change is changing sport: find out how at Sustainability Night 2025

The Manitoba Marathon cancelled due to heat in 2022. A shortened cross-country ski season because there wasn’t enough snow in 2024. These are just two examples of how climate change is changing sport. If you look globally, there are many more. 

Dr. Madeleine Orr, a world-leading sports ecologist will give the keynote address at the University of Manitoba’s Sustainability Night on Feb. 27, with her talk titled ‘Climate change vs. sport: Keeping the score on adaptation and activism’. 

A public speaker and climate action advocate, Orr’s research focuses on the relationship between sport and the natural environment with special attention to climate change, risk adaptation, sustainability and just transitions to more inclusive and sustainable futures. The threat climate change poses to sport is clear, but with billions of participants and fans around the world who rely on the sector for entertainment, jobs, fitness and health, this is one industry we can’t afford to lose. Orr’s book, Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport, shows it doesn’t have to be this way. There are ways to mitigate, and perhaps counter, even the worst elements of climate change.

“Climate change does not affect people equally. Research indicates Indigenous, Black, and racially marginalized communities, people with disabilities, and socially vulnerable groups experience disproportionate impacts from pollution, natural disasters, poisoned resources, and extreme weather. Systemic inequities are intertwined with climate change, as well as present in the world of sport,” says Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity), whose office is co-hosting the event 

“Bringing all of these together reminds us of the importance of thinking intersectionally as we take steps at UM to mitigate the impacts of climate change on diverse communities.” 

Paul Samyn, editor of the Free Press, will be the master of ceremonies and lead a question-and-answer period with Orr to conclude the formal portion of the event. Paul has been a part of the Free Press newsroom for more than a quarter century.  As the 15th editor of the Free Press, Samyn is also the chairman of the National Newspaper Awards, a member of the National NewsMedia Council and serves on the J.W. Dafoe Foundation. 

“Sustainability Night is a great opportunity for the UM community to come together, network, and learn about the breadth of impacts related to climate change. These conversations are important as we educate the leaders of tomorrow to help make a more sustainable future for all Manitobans”, said Raman Dhaliwal, Associate Vice-President (Administration). 

Join us for an evening with Orr, followed by a Q&A and networking session with light refreshments. UM sustainability groups and community organizations will feature their initiatives and climate change projects following the event. 

Sustainability Night 2025 featuring Dr. Madeleine Orr 

Thursday, Feb. 27 
6 to 8 p.m. 
 
Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre, St. John’s College 
Purchase your $5 ticket to Sustainability Night. Light refreshments will be served throughout the evening. 

In past years, the Sustainability Awards were handed out on Sustainability Night, but this year, Sustainability Night will herald the call for nominations. The deadline for nominations is Mar. 7 at 4 p.m. and winners will be announced on Earth Day, Apr. 22. 

Sustainability Night is cohosted by the Office of Equity Transformation, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Earth, Environment, and Resources, Office of Sustainability and the University of Manitoba Students’ Union. 

If you have any questions about Sustainability Night or the Sustainability Awards, please contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@umanitoba.ca. Please also send all accommodation requests to this email no later than Feb. 24. 

Orr will also be participating in other UM events during her visit – events are free and open to all to attend: 

Conversation on Climate Change and Sport
Friday, Feb 28
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
220 Boardroom, Active Living Centre, Fort Garry Campus

We invite students, staff, and faculty interested in the relationships to between sport, leisure, and climate change to share experiences and ideas with world-leading sport ecologist, Madeline Orr. This is an informal event, focused on conversation. All are welcome to attend, and no preparation is required. Light refreshments provided

Conversation prompts include:

• As a person active in sport and leisure, how do climate change and environmental considerations impact you and your sporting or leisure community?
• What are some of impacts (negative or positive) of your sport or leisure activities from an environmental perspective?
• How can participants and/or sport organizations take action to mitigate negative environmental impacts?

Indigenous History Walk from Upper Fort Garry to St. Boniface
Friday, Feb 28
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Meet at Upper Fort Garry
Join us for land-based learning with an Indigenous history walk led by Brian Rice, professor in Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. This will be an opportunity for connection with land, history, leisure, environment and each other.

Office of Sustainability