Extreme Weather Disrupts Thousands of Global Events, Study Finds

Extreme Weather Disrupts Thousands of Global Events, Study Finds
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A new study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction reveals that extreme weather events linked to climate change have disrupted over 2,000 mass gatherings globally between 2004 and 2024. The research highlights a growing trend, particularly in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-author Shawna McKinley, a sustainable event management instructor at the B.C. Institute of Technology, noted that cultural, arts, and sports events are among the most affected.

In Canada, regions such as British Columbia, Calgary, Halifax, and Kelowna have seen a significant number of disruptions, primarily due to wildfires, smoke, and extreme heat.

The study found that in 57% of cases, climate change either caused or intensified the extreme weather that disrupted events.