Rethinking places for sport in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change has profound effects globally. If the Anthropocene signifies the decline of nature as we once knew it, how might this transformation affect sporting activities conducted in natural environments? This scenario necessitates a renegotiation not only of the future of sports but also of humanity's shared history and the individual emotions and identities associated with sports. Ultimately, changes in nature due to climate change shape sports culture and redefine the understanding of the role sports mean to us. Drawing on a sociological and cultural–geographical perspective on place and belonging, this paper explores how an approach centred on the relationship between the physical environment, symbolic representation, and human emotions can offer new insights into sports in the Anthropocene.

Introduction

The time period Anthropocene is characterized by humanity's extensive impact on Earth, spanning multiple environmental, geological, and social changes, with climate change being a central and perhaps the most apparent aspect (Hamilton, 2018; Scranton, 2019). Anthropogenic climate change has profound effects worldwide (Pearson et al., 2023). The concept of the Anthropocene highlights humanity's significant influence on climates and ecosystems, prompting reflection on how we might live more sustainably and harmoniously with our planet. It serves as a framework for understanding the scale of our environmental impact and seeking solutions to the pressing global challenges we face (Scranton, 2019; Sörlin, 2017). Research indicates that the conditions for sports have already been affected by climate change and that these conditions will continue to evolve (Bernard et al., 2021; Orr et al., 2022). For example, winter sports such as skiing and hockey are predicted to be increasingly impacted by shorter and less intense winter seasons (Fairley et al., 2015; Orr, 2020; Steiger et al., 2019). Scholars have emphasized the urgency and importance of understanding the connections between sports and the Anthropocene (Olive and Wheaton, 2021). If the Anthropocene signifies the decline of nature as we once knew it, how might this transformation shape sporting activities conducted in natural environments?

A recurring theme in discussions about the Anthropocene is that it marks the end of the dichotomy between nature and culture (Horn and Bergtaller, 2019). Latour (2017) argues that the Anthropocene compels us to view the Earth not as a passive resource but as a ‘living’ entity with which we are in constant interaction. Thus, an anthropocentric perspective, which places humans at the centre of everything, is questioned. However, such a view also risks downplaying human influence on the world by embedding its agency within networks between humans and the natural world (Hamilton, 2018). The concept of the Neganthropocene (Stiegler, 2018) provides an alternative perspective on our current era, contrasting with the traditional idea of the Anthropocene and seeking to restore human influence. The Neganthropocene envisions the future that could emerge when we acknowledge and engage with the ecological and social devastation caused by humanity, while simultaneously focusing on potential ways to counteract it. Cherrington (2022) demonstrates this possibility in the context of mountain bike trail construction, showing how it can open up material, bodily, and more-than-human relationships. In this way, humans become autonomous actors with the agency to act yet remain inseparably bound to and constrained by the forces of nature (Hamilton, 2018).

The historical connection between sports and the natural environment is deeply rooted, with many sports tracing their origins to human interactions with nature. From these interactions emerged the structured and regulated sports that underpin contemporary sporting practices (Orr et al., 2022). Nonetheless, Orr et al. (2022) contend that, until recently, the conditions of the natural environment surrounding these locations have received little attention, with the potential consequences of environmental changes often overlooked. In sport ecology research, there is an increasing call for more in-depth analyses and new perspectives to enhance the understanding of the relationships between sport and the natural environment (McCullough, 2023). McCullough (2023) emphasizes that sport ecology research could benefit greatly from interdisciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches to deepen insights and impacts in this area. McMillan (2024) also observes that sociological perspectives can provide valuable contributions to sport ecology research, emphasizing that social science research on the connection between sport and climate change remains underdeveloped. Much of the existing literature stems from sport management scholars and the emerging subdiscipline of sport ecology. In contrast, the sociology of sport has given comparatively little attention to climate change and the natural environment. The concept of the Anthropocene, however, provides a valuable framework for examining the shifting relationship between nature and culture. When nature is transformed, culture is transformed, emphasizing their mutual dependence (Horn and Bergthaller, 2019). Scranton (2019) writes that the Anthropocene requires us to let go of specific ways of living and previous notions of identity, freedom, and progress.

In this context, the study of sports places is particularly significant, not only for assessing the direct effects of climate change on these areas but also for exploring the broader social and cultural implications of such sites. Sports places, such as ski resorts or other outdoor sports facilities, are deeply rooted in a sense of belonging, community, and identity (Tonts and Atherley, 2010). Understanding how these emotional and cultural ties intersect with environmental changes is crucial for addressing sustainability. Climate change and other Anthropocene-related effects are altering the physical environments of these places, impacting not only their usability but also the communities and cultures connected to them.

This paper seeks to connect climate change with local meanings and feelings and thus to highlight current and future challenges for sport that both research and practice must address in the coming years. Drawing on a sociological and cultural–geographical perspective on place and belonging, this paper explores how an approach centred on the relationship between the physical environment, symbolic representation, and people's emotions can offer new insights into sports in the Anthropocene. This approach helps understand how the Anthropocene not only affects the natural world but also reshapes people's emotional connections with and sense of belonging to outdoor sports spaces. By focusing on this dynamic interplay between the environment and human experience, it is possible to gain deeper insights into how climate change and environmental shifts redefine the meaning and experience of sport in these settings.

Sport in the Anthropocene: a sense of belonging to places for sport

To date, research on the effects of climate change on sport has focused mainly on natural scientific aspects, such as environmental impacts, mitigation efforts, and the physiological effects of high altitude, heat, cold, and air pollution on the human body (Bernard et al., 2021; Orr et al., 2022). O’Connor et al. (2023) argue that if environmental conditions for sports opportunities change, the physical, social, and political significance and actions associated with sports will also change. The impact of climate change on places for sports is felt locally through adjusting embodied practices (Gorman-Murray, 2010).

This focus on the cultural and social ramifications of environmental change has led to broader discussions across multiple fields. Several studies have raised concerns about intangible cultural losses to traditions, knowledge, identity, and sense of place due to climate-induced displacement and relocation (Pearson et al., 2023). Hulme (2008) emphasizes that the full impact of climate change can be properly understood only when its physical dimensions are also interpreted by their entwined cultural meanings. This enquiry is inherently interdependent with global, local, and complex diversities of identity and time (Macnaghten and Urry, 1995). Albrecht (2019; Albrecht et al., 2007) describes the concept of solastalgia as the emotional loss that arises from a lost or altered home and natural environment. It refers to grief over environmental changes occurring in real time rather than nostalgia for something past. This reflects the complex nature of solastalgia, where emotional loss does not necessarily mean complete disconnection from a place but rather a renegotiation of the relationship to it in response to ongoing ecological and cultural changes. This phenomenon can be linked to factors that make people feel alienated or disconnected from their own environments, including sports places.

To comprehend how environmental, social, and cultural factors shape sport in the context of the Anthropocene, it is necessary to delve into the intricate interactions among these elements. This involves connecting climate change to local meanings and emotional responses. We propose that adopting a sociological and geographical perspective on place and belonging could provide valuable insight into this complex relationship.

Studies of sports places in relation to climate change are of utmost importance, not only to understand the direct effects of climate change on these areas but also to highlight the broader social and cultural consequences of such changes. The impact of climate change extends far beyond immediate environmental effects by touching places that hold deep emotional and cultural values. There are places so deeply rooted in people's lives that they shape our memories and define our identity (Adger et al., 2013). Similarly, there are sports places that transcend their physical boundaries and become indispensable parts of our lives. Places for sport constitute part of our cultural heritage and history, and they are a central hub in many communities, serving as meeting places where people gather to engage in sports, create social bonds, and build communities (Bale, 1994; Tonts and Atherley, 2010). Knowledge of how anthropogenic factors influence the perspectives, behaviours, and life experiences related to places for sport is currently limited. Research on these changes is crucial for understanding and mitigating their effects. Sports places are not only places for physical activity; they are also places where people form emotional, symbolic, and material bonds that define their sense of belonging. By studying how climate change impacts places for sports and influences people's sense of belonging and community, it is possible to develop strategies for adaptation and preservation.

From a sociological and cultural–geographical perspective on place and belonging, nature is intricately intertwined with the social and the cultural. As both the social and the cultural are changing rapidly, a crucial research task is to study the implications of nature's fundamental intertwinement with the social (Macnaghten and Urry, 1995). Because belonging involves relationships, it invites consideration of both the human and non-human elements that are particularly significant in people's lives over time, in this case, places for sports. This entails a materialistic view of belonging (Wyn et al., 2019), in which places are assigned identities, just like people. A sense of place identity is influenced by both the conditions on the site and how they change, which, in turn, reinforces belonging and challenges people's perceptions of the place. Sports places are not merely passive entities or static backgrounds for human sports activities. Instead, sports practices and the meaning of sport are shaped and sustained through interactions with non-human agents, which are influenced by athletes and sports organizations and, in turn, exert influence on them (cf. Latour, 2005). This can be understood through Latour's (2005) concept of the ‘actor-network’ – a process by which materials, culture, and people interact to shape a place's identity. Latour argues that identities and values are created and recreated through social processes and actor-networks. The identity of a sports place is therefore not fixed but is negotiated through discourses and material changes. This means that belonging is not something given but something that emerges through ongoing, often invisible processes and contexts that extend beyond the human. By adopting an approach that focuses on the relationship between the physical environment, symbolic representation and people's emotions, we can ontologically provide a new perspective on sports in the Anthropocene and epistemologically generate insights into the Anthropocene's influence and reshaping of people's sense of belonging to outdoor sports places.

In this context, the ontological question takes on a relational aspect, focusing on how sports places are transformed and what these changes signify. Belonging to sports places in the Anthropocene involves a complex interplay between social and physical environments. By examining individuals’ perceived experiences and relationships with these sports places, researchers and practitioners can gain valuable insights that prompt a rethinking of sports in the Anthropocene.

We propose that people's sense of belonging to sports places in the Anthropocene can be understood through three dimensions: material, symbolic, and emotional. This framework draws inspiration from Farrugia (2016), who employs these dimensions to explore the mobility of young people in rural areas. We observe that these dimensions capture the material transformation of sports places, the symbolic and discursive construction of what a sports place represents, and the bodily, affective, and sensory aspects of belonging to such places. This paper argues that these three dimensions highlight how nature is deeply intertwined with the social, which, in turn, can be interpreted through the interconnected cultural meanings of these dimensions. By outlining this three-dimensional approach, we contribute both to a theoretical foundation for research on sports places in the Anthropocene and to the exploration of these places. Although the three dimensions discussed here are analytically distinct and refer to different aspects that influence individuals’ relationships with sports places in the Anthropocene, they exist in a dynamic interplay with one another. This perspective is materialistic in that it does not focus solely on ideological or cultural constructions of belonging but also on the material, ecological, and technical processes that constitute and sustain these relationships.

In the next section, we explore three cases that illustrate how climate change – materially, symbolically, and emotionally – affects sports places in a Swedish context, focusing on ski resorts, equestrian facilities, and outdoor sports facilities. Examples and research from both Sweden and internationally relevant contexts are used to describe and analyse these cases. These places have historically played a significant role in Swedish sports life and are now, in the Anthropocene context, undergoing transformation in terms of their structure and use.

Sport in the Anthropocene: the material, symbolic, and emotional offerings of places for sport

Alpine ski resorts

Alpine ski resorts have been particularly highlighted in discussions about climate change (Knowles, 2023; Nadegger, 2024; Steiger et al., 2019). Decreasing snowfall and shorter seasons are forcing ski resorts to adapt their offerings (e.g. through artificial snow production and the introduction of more summer activities) or face closure. In Sweden, ski resorts outside the mountain region and northern Norrland are at risk of being phased out. Seasons are becoming increasingly short, and covering the slopes with snow is becoming more challenging due to both climate factors and the rising costs of artificial snow production (Rice et al., 2022). A similar trend is evident globally. In Italy, more than 300 ski resorts have closed in recent years (Wegerup, 2022). Studies show that in the Alps, at altitudes below 2000 meters, snow shortages are increasing, and glaciers are shrinking. The winter season is now 22–34 days shorter and has 50–60% less snow than 50 years ago (Bertoldi et al., 2023).

Material loss signifies the fundamental transformation occurring in the Anthropocene. Material examples of belonging to places often include physical and tangible elements that reflect individuals’ or communities’ connections to specific locations (Millington and Wilson, 2024). An article from the ski magazine Fri Flyt (Andresen and Lone, 2024) about the Norwegian ski resort Folgefonna makes the tangible material change strikingly evident. One individual described their sense of change as follows: ‘It is unfortunate and sad that the glacier, as we know it, is gone. The ski lift cannot remain where it is for many more years. This means we have to rethink things’.

Uncertain natural snow conditions are driving investments in artificial skiing environments, including the development of urban indoor facilities (Backman et al., 2023). In an article in Fri Flyt (Tilseth, 2024), the operators of such a facility in Oslo discussed the challenges of attracting skiers. They also noted that natural snow, paradoxically, can be seen as a competitor to the indoor facility: ‘Behind us, we have had two good outdoor winters, but the winter of 2022 had poor conditions outside. During that time, we experienced a period with incredibly high visitor numbers’. At the same time, they see themselves as dependent on the presence of natural snow:

Isolated, it's probably good for our visitor numbers, but we are also very fond of real winters. Moreover, if we only get bad ski winters in the years to come, we risk people getting really fed up and completely quitting skiing. In that case, such a development would be very negative for our indoor centre as well.

This reasoning implies that belonging to skiing is tied to physical conditions—if natural winters disappear, the entire ski culture risks being negatively affected, regardless of whether it is replaced by new indoor facilities. Such material changes can, in turn, reshape relationships with place, especially for those who primarily associate skiing with cultural traditions linked to nature and outdoor activities (Blom and Nilsson, 2011). However, such changes can also lead to new forms of inclusion as alternative activities attract a broader group of users and create a new sense of community within the facility. This has been explored in relation to the facility in Oslo (Tilseth, 2024): ‘It's pretty cool for a family from California to be able to come here and ski in July […] We are constantly learning more about our product and what customers want’ This can create new forms of consumption, where skiing becomes an urban experience rather than a nature-based activity.

This example from Fri Flyt highlights the symbolic transformations brought about by climate change, with people's sense of belonging to ski resorts changing as the way these places are perceived, valued, and experienced is reshaped. When environmental changes, such as decreasing snow levels and shorter seasons, force ski resorts to adapt – through snowmaking, indoor facilities, diversified activities, or even closure – their symbolic significance also changes. In Meirik and Nerdrum (2024) feature article, skiers who had long identified the aforementioned Folgefonna not only as a place for skiing but also as a symbol of tradition and culture, expressed a loss of belonging when the familiar conditions no longer aligned with their memories or expectations: ‘Fonna has always been the epicenter. This is where both young and old from the community met. The youngest might have been at a camp, often with various legends as instructors. This is how good culture is created’. This transformation represents a subjective dimension of belonging that functions as a discursive resource (Wyn et al., 2019). This transformation is constructed through cultural symbols that help individuals position themselves in relation to places for sport. The symbolism is created through social interaction and collective storytelling about what these places represent for groups of people, which in turn affects their experiences of belonging. This change illustrates how belonging to a place is tied not solely to its physical attributes but also to the cultural and social narratives surrounding it. When climate change reshapes ski environments and their symbolic significance, it affects not only individuals’ perceptions of the place but also their emotional connection to it.

Emotional reactions to changes in sports places during the Anthropocene are shaped by environmental changes and their impact on personal connections and experiences, thus aligning with non-representational thinking. Sports activities are characterized by sensory experiences that, through the interaction between bodies and the physical environment, create affects and sensations (Thorpe and Rinehart, 2010; Trendafilova and Ziakas, 2022). For example, reduced snowfall or the closure of familiar ski trails could evoke sadness or nostalgia for how things once were. These emotions reflect a deep, personal attachment to a place, a relationship that has developed over time through the role the place has played in a person's life (Albrecht, 2019). In Andresen and Lone's (2024) report on the closure of the Folgefonna ski centre, prominent free riders with strong ties to the facility were interviewed. One of the skiers shared their thoughts on the closure: ‘It was sad to hear about the bankruptcy of Folgefonna, which has meant a lot to us in the freeskiing community. It wasn’t always sunny here, but i usually slushy conditions and a great atmosphere. I always had a playful feeling there’. The skier's longing for Folgefonna reflects a deep connection to the place, shaped through years of meaningful encounters and a strong sense of community. The reference to specific environmental conditions further emphasizes how the physical characteristics of the location were intertwined with emotional experiences. This attachment is primarily emotional rather than cognitive, as it is rooted in recurring interactions and activities that deepen affective experiences and promote personal development. These bonds are created through concrete, socially situated practices that shape a dynamic relationship between the body and place (Farrugia, 2016). The skiers interviewed about Folgefonna integrated their feelings for the place into past, present, and future perspectives. One skier said, ‘It's really sad! I’ve had the best summers ever at Folgefonna, and I always dreamed of spending summers there with my kids, so this is heartbreaking’. By analysing the relationship between the present and the past through the skier's narrative, it is possible to create a deeper understanding of ecological destruction, which can help us act more consciously and effectively. According to Black and Cherrington (2021), we can change our ecological awareness and future by understanding and reassessing our past.

Equestrian centres

The three dimensions – material, symbolic, and emotional –can also be applied to equestrian centres, including the interaction between humans and horses. The material dimension highlights the physical changes that occur in the Anthropocene through ecological, technological, and infrastructural processes. Climate change, such as increased rainfall or extreme heat, can affect both the availability of forage and horse health around the world (see Millen, 2024; Mair and Webster, 2022). In 2018, the effects of climate change became apparent for several horse owners and stable managers when large parts of Europe experienced drought, affecting farmers’ ability to harvest quality grains and forage. This was a difficult period for the horse sector in Sweden, as many riding schools and trotting stables faced significant problems in securing feed supplies (Aftonbladet, 2018).

Beyond uncertainty regarding feed, many Swedish equestrian centres today require upgrades, but municipalities do not always recognize riding schools as sports facilities. As a result, equestrian sports may lack essential resources for facility improvements (SvRF, 2024). Equestrian facilities also face increasing exposure to natural events such as flooding, drought, fires, and storms (French, 2020). Additionally, urbanization and changes in land use may limit access to natural riding environments, further increasing the need for indoor facilities.

As climate-related challenges become more obvious, it is crucial for horse owners and equestrian centre managers to understand how climate change will continue to impact their horses and properties, and that the space to keep horses and to perform equestrian sport and leisure riding cannot be taken for granted (Millen, 2024). In recent years, there have been many catastrophic situations around the world affecting equestrian centres and horses. In an article by Noble and Hawley (2023), staff at St Leonard's Riding School in Toton, Nottinghamshire, shared their experience of evacuating their horses and ponies to safety within 2 hours of the beginning of flooding. The costs of repairing the riding school's facilities, from which 50 animals had to be evacuated, amounted to £60,000. The arena where lessons were held was completely destroyed. One of the instructors, Katie Hanstock, was interviewed and told reporters, ‘People came to help with lorries so they could get all the ponies away from the flooding, and it took two hours’. Katie added, ‘It has never been like that before. Normally, our fields go under – never the yard, never the front paddock. That is where our horses were’. She continued to describe the scenario and how everything changed very quickly, making the situation dangerous: ‘I went up the field to get one wandering pony, and the water was up to my middle. It was scary wading through it all, and with a horse next to you – it is a lot of water pressure’.

Equestrian centres may not experience climate change in the same way as ski resorts until they face critical disasters. However, they must adapt to the ongoing changes. No comprehensive mapping of how climate change is perceived by riders, horse owners, and stable managers has been conducted in Sweden, but research in the UK has shown that many horse owners are moving away from traditional stable environments to private or rented land where they can implement more sustainable practices (Wadham et al., 2023). The researchers found that horse owners’ care for horses led them to a broader understanding of sustainability, where responsibility for equine welfare expanded to include land management, biodiversity, and sustainable farming. By reassessing the relationship between horses, humans, and the environment, a more sustainable future for horse keeping can be developed (Wadham et al., 2023).

Climate change can also impact the symbolic dimension of equestrian centres. As these changes become more tangible, they affect historical and cultural values within the equestrian sector. Riding schools in Sweden hold symbolic significance, serving an important role as meeting places centred around horses for people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities (Hedenborg et al., 2021). Many individuals describe a strong sense of belonging, viewing riding school facilities as sanctuaries and spaces where both children and adults can spend time together. A previous study indicates that, to some extent, there are generational differences in perceptions of climate change and environmental issues related to horse riding and horse care among equestrian sport participants in Sweden and Norway (see Hedenborg et al., 2024). Climate change and environmental sustainability must be given greater symbolic value within the equestrian sector overall. In connection with British Equestrian's release of its vision for a sustainable future, Chief Executive Jim Eyre states, ‘As part of our privileged relationship with horses, we must protect the natural environment that sustains them. The growing environmental crisis is having a direct impact on our world – changing climate, water availability and resource depletion all affect us now, and the future is uncertain’ (British Equestrian, 2023). How symbolic transformations, such as climate change, are perceived, valued, and experienced by equestrians in Sweden must be studied in greater depth to understand the meaning and significance of these changes in relation to people's view of riding schools and stables as meeting places and their sense of belonging to equestrian centres.

In recent years, norms surrounding animal welfare and sustainability have changed, leading to a reassessment of traditional ways of handling, riding, and caring for horses, as well as the emergence of new ethical approaches (Luke et al., 2023). The bond between humans and horses creates a unique emotional relationship, where interaction with the animal can provide a strong sense of meaning and belonging. This emotional dimension can be seen as relating to bodily, affective, and sensory aspects. Just like human relationships, human–animal relationships are context-specific social connections formed between two sentient beings (Dashper, 2017). Being around horses is an emotional experience that requires total presence of both body and mind. Sensory experiences can also be linked to the stable environment – the smell of hay, the sound of hoofbeats, the sensation of touching a horse – all of which contribute to an individual's identity and sense of belonging to the place, becoming part of the individual's everyday practice and engagement in this social setting (Dashper, 2016). Feelings of safety and community are shaped through interaction with others in the stable environment, with the riding school functioning as a social and emotional sanctuary. However, loss and change can affect an individual's sense of belonging to a place (cf. Albrecht et al., 2007).

In Sweden, traditional stables where horses are kept in stalls have been questioned, especially as research has shown that horses kept in groups in open housing are healthier (Kjellberg, 2022). For their welfare, horses need freedom of movement and the ability to be together (Baumgartner et al., 2021; Kelly et al., 2021; Mellor et al., 2020). The transition to keeping horses in open barns or active stables to promote equine welfare also demands new routines and relationships with horses. This has major consequences for riding school activities, as schools must adapt not only to new facilities and methods of horse care but must also organize school activities. This can alter the nature of human–horse interactions.

Traditions are being challenged and changed; therefore, ways of interacting with animals and nature must be reshaped to reduce negative impacts on climate, ecosystems, and animal welfare, while preserving resources for future generations (Tarazona et al., 2020). It is important to explore and highlight equestrians’ perceptions of their relational and emotional connections with horses, particularly in relation to environmental changes. A more holistic view of the human–animal relationship is needed to address global challenges such as climate change, decreased biodiversity, and sustainable development (cf. Wadham et al., 2023). Animal welfare cannot be viewed in isolation from environmental and public health issues but must be integrated into a One Health, One Welfare perspective (Tarazona et al., 2020). Equestrians can act as ‘agents of sustainability’, meaning as individuals whose everyday decisions and actions contribute to a more sustainable and animal-friendly future (Wadham et al., 2023). This is especially important when traditional sustainability strategies tend to be anthropocentric, seeing human innovation and technology, rather than a transformed relationship between humans, animals, and nature, as the solution (Wadham et al., 2023). In the Anthropocene, it is necessary to reassess humans’ relationship with nature, and previous research shows that horses can be active co-creators of sustainable landscapes for those with a sense of belonging to equestrian centres (see Wadham et al., 2023). Including horses as co-creators of rural life could lead to new ways of thinking about sustainability, which are needed in a world where human impact is inevitable.

Outdoor sports facilities

A typical Swedish outdoor sports facility is a well-maintained space designed for recreational and sports activities, often located in a public park or community area. These facilities emphasize Sweden's close relationship with nature and are intended to encourage physical activity in an outdoor setting. Swedish outdoor sports facilities often focus on accessibility and inclusivity, with free or low-cost access to encourage the entire community to participate in healthy outdoor activities year-round. In winter, such facilities might offer skiing and ice-related activities, while in summer, they might emphasize running, cycling, and general fitness. The historical origins of today's outdoor sports facilities can be traced to what, in Sweden, is called motionsspår. The idea of the motionsspår originated with Professor Per-Olof Åstrand, and the first was established in 1958, leading to the rapid expansion of motionsspår in Sweden (Schantz, 2008).

The material dimension of climate change affects outdoor sports facilities through increased environmental and safety requirements, and it creates the need for investment in sustainable solutions. Today, outdoor sports facilities face challenges such as increasing environmental and electrical safety requirements and the need for investments in artificial snow facilities (Orr and Schneider, 2018). This can be illustrated by the innovation cluster Glava Energy Center (2024), Sweden's largest testbed, innovation centre, and education provider in solar energy, solar cells, and energy systems. They run the project Naturkraft – Well-being in Natural Meeting Places, which aims to develop a smart and modular energy system based on solar energy to enable energy-efficient lighting at outdoor sports facilities. They write on their website, ‘Sweden has approximately 1700 illuminated trails, many of which still use outdated and environmentally harmful mercury lamps that must be phased out according to EU directives. Upgrades are necessary but require significant investments’. This is an example of a material transformation in which old technologies are replaced or complemented with new, environmentally friendly technologies and infrastructures to meet new needs.

Furthermore, stakeholders have had to rethink outdoor ice skating, and climate change has raised significant concerns that future generations may not be able to skate outdoors in natural environments (Dickau et al., 2020). In a newspaper column, Vähä (2020) describes a historical change in the possibility of ice skating in Sweden: ‘If you mention outdoor natural ice today and the possibility of skating outside in December, I think many would think I’m joking […] Natural ice rinks are becoming fewer, and if you want to learn how to skate, it will generally be during public skating sessions in indoor arenas’. Similarly, Fairley et al.'s (2015) study of pond hockey in Canada shows that climate research findings have raised significant concerns that future generations will not be able to enjoy a range of winter sports, including hockey in its purest form – outdoors and in a natural environment.

It is not only ice skating that is moving indoors; in Sweden, indoor facilities for cross-country skiing are being built (Sandell, 2011). As with alpine resorts, this highlights the need for investment in artificial snow facilities (Orr and Schneider, 2018) and the increasing urbanization of sports landscapes, a process by which sports facilities are being built closer to larger cities and adapted for use in urban or suburban areas (Backman and Svensson, 2023).

Symbolic transformation of outdoor facilities can be linked to the material changes in these facilities, such as the transition from recreational trails to modern facilities with artificial snow and the development of indoor facilities for ice skating and skiing. These changes can lead to a revaluation of the meaning of sports. Backman and Svensson (2023) showed that performance and competition are dominant among athletes training in artificial landscapes, at the expense of perspectives such as nature experiences and environmental sustainability. For example, Sandell (2011) describes how a facility in western Sweden was built around a competition environment with a ski college and the Swedish ski elite in mind.

At the same time, the project (Glava Energy, 2024) to install energy-efficient lighting at outdoor sports facilities, in keeping with increasing environmental and electrical safety requirements (Orr and Schneider, 2018), symbolizes a new way of understanding the relationship between humans, sports, and nature. Glava Energy writes on its website, ‘By combining solar energy, energy-efficient lighting, and network storage, an environmentally friendly energy supply can be created. This provides a safe and sustainable outdoor environment as well as long-term opportunities for sports activities’. Such initiatives aim to encourage more outdoor activity and improve the quality of life through more sustainable lighting. In an era when people are increasingly sedentary and spend more time indoors, the project can be seen as a symbol of the need to restore humans’ connection to the outdoor environment.

Emotional transformation can create a deeper emotional connection to nature. The creation of a sustainable and safe outdoor environment can evoke feelings of pride and hope, as people feel that their actions have a positive impact on the environment. The experience of sports places influences both the body and mind in the present moment. This means that the physical environment, nature, and time affect people's experiences and understanding of a place. Consequently, ‘what is felt’ explains how experiences within natural sports environments influence and shape attitudes towards the environment (Trendafilova and Ziakas, 2022). This shows how technological innovations can be both a source of solastalgia (by replacing natural environments) and a potential solution (by making facilities more environmentally friendly). While such innovations produce a sense of loss, they also create the possibility for a reorientation, where sustainability and innovation can create new ways to experience and relate to sports and nature, to use Stiegler's (2018) concept of the Neganthropocene.

Summary analysis

The changing identity and function of sports places in the Anthropocene reflect a complex network of material, symbolic, and emotional changes that together shape people's sense of belonging. In Latour's terms (2005), these changes mean that the individual's relationship to place is influenced not only by external environmental changes but also by the social, cultural, and material actions that define the place. People's emotional and symbolic responses to these changes – such as solastalgia or adaptation, are both a result of and a reaction to the material and symbolic transformations of a place. It is through this dynamic interaction between people and place that belonging is created and reshaped, and can be lost in the Anthropocene.

Changes to sports places create a sense of loss for those with a long-standing connection to such places, not only as recreational areas but also as symbols of tradition and community. The example of the Norwegian ski resort demonstrates how the loss of a natural landscape can evoke solastalgia (Albrecht, 2019), where individuals mourn what once was. Experiencing nature and mountain culture is what attracts both tourists and locals to these places (Knowles, 2023). Their emotional reaction to environmental changes and nostalgia for these places’ former state reflects the loss of a deep, personal connection. The loss of the sense of a place with a good atmosphere implies the loss of more than just a physical location – it represents the loss of community and tradition. This transforms nature from being a simple backdrop (O’Connor et al., 2023) to being a complex, intertwined part of one's own experience (Black and Cherrington, 2020).

The changing identity and function of sports places in the Anthropocene also provide space for a new way of identifying with such places and the creation of new symbols and stories. Here, solastalgia can shift from a feeling of loss to an opportunity for renewed belonging. For example, the project on energy-efficient lighting can serve as a symbol for restoring the connection to the outdoor environment. From a Neganthropocentric perspective (Stiegler, 2018), this would mean that sports places are reinterpreted through new initiatives that strengthen the relationship between humans and nature in a sustainable way. Instead of, as Denning (2014) describes, a constructed environment adapted to the specific needs of the athlete. Cherrington (2022) demonstrated this possibility in connection with the construction of mountain bike trails and their opening of material, bodily, and more-than-human relationships. Focusing on these embodied interactions not only bridges the gap between nature and culture but also contributes to efforts to build more sustainable and socio-ecological systems for the environment (Trendafilova and Ziakas, 2022). This means that through repeated concrete, local experiences, a situated way of understanding humanity's role in the Earth's ecosystem can be developed (Latour, 2017).

Conclusion

There is limited understanding of how anthropogenic factors influence perspectives, behaviours, and life experiences related to sports places. Research into these changes is vital to comprehending and mitigating their impacts. This paper emphasizes that the challenges of the Anthropocene extend beyond large-scale environmental issues; they are also intricately connected to everyday life and cultural practices. This paper can be understood in relation to the need for in-depth analyses and new perspectives within sport ecology research to enhance the understanding of the relationships between sport and the natural environment (McCullough, 2023). By focusing on the intersection of material, symbolic, and emotional dimensions, this text outlines a comprehensive approach to studying sports places in the Anthropocene.

The proposed three-dimensional approach integrates the material, symbolic, and emotional aspects of people's relationships to sports places. This aligns with the argument that sports places are not only physical locations but also sites of meaning, cultural construction, and emotional connection. These three dimensions should not be seen in isolation but in dynamic interplay with each other. For instance, the physical transformation of a sports place can trigger a shift in its symbolic representation in a community, which, in turn, can influence individuals’ emotional connection to it. Based on these premises, the paper offers a conceptual analysis that must be further empirically studied.

The full effects of climate change cannot be understood without recognizing how its physical impacts are deeply intertwined with cultural meanings. We adhere to the idea that climate is as much embedded in memory, behaviour, text, and identity as it is in meteorological measurements (Hulme, 2008). Consequently, we propose incorporating methods such as historical documentation, observations, and oral history into sport ecology research. These approaches enable the exploration of how relationships with sports places evolve across generations, highlighting changes, continuity, and lived experiences over time.

The concept of the Anthropocene helps approach an understanding of belonging to sports places that is not bound by the old, narrow concepts of nature and culture but instead acknowledges all the interconnected and unpredictable consequences of human actions on the environment. Instead of a static view, a more dynamic and relational perspective is suggested – one in which we gradually become more aware of and sensitive to the contexts in which we live, both ecologically and emotionally (Latour, 2017). This perspective offers a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of how climate change affects sports places. It underscores not only physical and environmental changes but also the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of belonging to sport places that are crucial for developing effective adaptation and conservation strategies.

Places for sports are an integral part of our cultural heritage and history. They serve as vital health-promoting facilitators in many communities, functioning as gathering spots where people come together to participate in sports and physical activities, forge social connections, and build a sense of community (Bale, 1994; Tonts and Atherley, 2010). The loss of these spaces means the loss of part of our shared history and identity (Gorman-Murray, 2010) and a renegotiation of the relationship to place (Albrecht, 2019; Albrecht et al., 2007). Studying such places offers a deeper understanding of how climate change impacts social structures and cultural identities within communities.

For instance, individuals may feel disheartened about engaging with a ski resort or hockey rink when there is a persistent lack of snow and cold weather. Despite this, their emotional attachment to these places may drive them to invest in artificial snowmaking or to adapt facilities for summer activities. They may also feel ambivalent regarding the absence of slopes or lifts, yet excitement may also arise over the development of new biking trails. In this context, the Anthropocene is seen as an open question and a vast field of epistemological uncertainty (Horn and Bergthaller, 2019).

This complex situation prompts a renegotiation not only of the future of sports places but also of individuals’ feelings and identities associated with these places. Ultimately, these changes influence sports culture and reshape the understanding of the meaning of sport.