If today’s air quality index surpassed 150, today’s game could have been canceled. For those unfamiliar with the state, air quality issues aren’t normally associated with Vermont soccer. According to the American Lung Association’s 2022 air quality “report card”, the Burlington-metro area was one of only 10 cities in the nation to rank as the cleanest city for some of the most harmful and widespread air pollutants: particle pollution and ozone.
Trevor Summerfield, director of advocacy for the Lung Association in Vermont noted, “High levels of ozone and particle pollution can harm the health of anyone, but particularly at risk are children, older adults, pregnant people, and those living with chronic disease. Both ozone and particle pollution can cause premature death and other serious health effects such as asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm. Particle pollution can also cause lung cancer…Fortunately, Vermont continues to be one of the best places to live when it comes to these pollutants.” Vermont is indeed geographically blessed, ranked as the second least natural disaster-impacted state since 2000.
The Canadian wildfires that are casting a pall of smoke and pollution across Vermont and as far away as Europe mark the worst wildfire season on record for our neighbors to the north. At least 500 active fires are burning around the country, 257 of which are classified as “out of control”, according to the Canada Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). In Quebec alone, 3.6 million acres have been burnt in the wildfires so far. For context, the average annual area that has burned in the past 10 years is 24,359 acres, meaning that the areas burned just in the last two months are approximately 147 times larger than an average year. In its seasonal weather outlook report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the government’s environmental protection agency, noted the record wildfire season has been driven mainly by higher temperatures and seasonal dryness associated with a warming climate. It goes on to say, “climate change is already affecting the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme weather and climate-related events in Canada. Climate models indicate the country is warming at roughly double the global rate, especially in the north, which will lead to more damaging weather events.” For those closest to the ongoing fires, vulnerable populations near and far, and even Vermonters, today’s extreme and devastating wildlife conditions portend tomorrow’s tragedy.
The threat of cancellation of today’s game is a small window into the much grander and far more tragic changes unfolding as humanity steadily pollutes our shared atmosphere and warms our planet to fatal levels. While a canceled game would have been a financial hardship for the club, it is truly insignificant in the context of the challenges faced by so many others who don’t share in our privileged position as Vermonters and business owners. The tragedy of climate change is experienced most acutely by those among us who have been historically marginalized. The symptoms of climate change exacerbate the deep roots of inequality and injustice that enable undue harm to economically disadvantaged individuals and families, women, people of color, the elderly, people experiencing disabilities, young people, future generations, and nature. For vulnerable and historically disadvantaged people, climate change means more significant hardships and fewer opportunities. For nature, it means the breakdown of earth systems and accelerating rates of extinction. For those among us in more privileged positions, our communities will suffer, our children will face more significant challenges and instability, and no amount of money will isolate a family in its entirety from accelerating social and environmental degradation.
Today’s wildfires and their negative consequences will only worsen as our planet warms. However, we can change course. Our club’s vision is to play a small role in catalyzing a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world. Football is our means to bring about our vision, but our vision means nothing without a supportive community. If you believe that passion leads to action, human connection can produce empathy, and hope can overcome cynicism, we hope you’ll join us in our efforts for a better tomorrow.