Extreme heat may prevent Houston from hosting Summer Olympics
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The majority of the world, including most of Texas, will be too hot to host the Summer Olympics by 2050.
Why it matters: We're already feeling the extreme heat in Houston, and it'll get worse over the next 30 years, limiting the number of local venues suitable for major outdoor sporting events.
By the numbers: An Axios analysis of CarbonPlan data finds that in 2050, 60% of locations globally will experience Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures above 82 degrees, the American College of Sports Medicine's recommended threshold for canceling continuous outdoor activity to avoid heat illness.
- CarbonPlan's models estimate that 99.78% of weather stations in Texas will experience temperatures above the "cancel activity" level in 2050.
Flashback: Houston was one of four finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic bid. In 2002, Houston was eliminated, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee ultimately chose New York City, which lost to London.
How it works: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a metric that takes into account air temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind to assess the risk of heat illness. It is widely used to determine safe temperatures for physical activity.
What we're watching: While this puts a damper on Houston's hosting the Olympics, these models have sobering implications for future outdoor sports and recreation in a city that frequently hosts such events.
- The next Summer Olympics will be hosted in Los Angeles, where the International Olympic Committee is already planning to implement heat protocols.
- Houston will be a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read the full interactive project about how extreme heat is impacting the Olympics