Saudi hosting 2034 World Cup will harm climate, say experts

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As the newly-named host of the 2034 World Cup in men's football, Saudi Arabia says it will construct or renovate 15 stadiums, create a futuristic city and expand airports in a massive buildout to accommodate millions of athletes, coaches and spectators.

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Constructing so many new venues is "environmentally wasteful in the extreme" because so much carbon will be emitted and scarce resources used, said Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College in Massachusetts who has written several books about the economics of mega sporting events. Zimbalist said the World Cup should be held in countries with a developed football culture and industry.

Seth Warren Rose, founding director of the research organization Eneref Institute, said: "I'm sorry, but we're living in a different planet. We have to prepare for that," Rose said. "By 2034, we'll be living in a different climate and that's not a metaphor."

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