As a global ambassador for the Rainforest Alliance, Ajinkya Rahane, the celebrated Indian cricketer, used his platform at Mumbai Climate Week to draw attention to the often-overlooked intersection between climate change and sports. The panel discussion, held at the Jio Convention Centre, saw Rahane in conversation with Dr. Anilak Pradakshi, former Sustainability Director at Tata Consumer Products, among other sustainability experts.
Together, they highlighted the crucial role of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and the need for urgent action to address the climate crisis.
Rahane, a revered figure in the world of cricket, brought his unique perspective as a professional athlete and a passionate advocate for agriculture. “Cricket is just one part of my life,” Rahane shared, recounting his upbringing in a farming family. “Agriculture is the backbone of our country, and if I can contribute to helping the farming sector and farmers, that would be a fulfilling legacy.”
His journey into agricultural advocacy began in 2014 when, during a tour of Sri Lanka, Rahane was deeply moved by articles he read about the challenges facing Indian farmers. This marked the beginning of his personal mission to bridge the gap between sports and sustainable farming practices, using his fame to raise awareness.
But the focus of the conversation soon shifted from agriculture to the impact of climate change on the world of sports.
Rahane spoke candidly about the way cricket, particularly in England, has been affected by changing weather patterns. “When I first started playing in England, the weather conditions were predictable – cool, with temperatures around 14 to 15 degrees. But over the years, I’ve seen significant shifts,” Rahane explained. "From 2016 onwards, England experienced heatwaves with temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees, which is abnormal for the region."
He went on to highlight how these changes were impacting the game itself, particularly the ball's movement. "In cricket, weather conditions play a significant role, especially the moisture in the air and cloud cover. In England, the ball swings more when there's cloud cover. But due to rising temperatures, England started adding extra lacquer to the balls to make them swing, and even that didn't help."
Rahane underscored the challenge of adapting to these rapidly changing conditions, emphasizing that while cricketers are skilled at adjusting to new playing conditions, climate change presents a whole new level of unpredictability. "As athletes, we are not climate experts, but we do know how to adapt to different conditions on the field. But adapting to climate change? That's a whole different ball game. It's a challenge we haven't faced before."
He further explained that the cricketer's role extends beyond the field. “Cricket is a sport watched by millions, and as sportspeople, we have the power to influence. We can use our platforms to raise awareness about climate change and the environment, and this collective effort can bring about change.”
Rahane called for a united, global effort to tackle climate change. "Even small changes, like taking responsibility for our environment, can make a huge difference. If we, as the cricket community, can influence even 1% of change, it will have a profound impact.”
The session at Mumbai Climate Week was a powerful reminder that the climate crisis affects every aspect of life, even the games we love.
