Lauren Bohlen, PhD co-authored a featured article for the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s (SBM Outlook) Summer 2026 issue titled “Promoting Physical Activity in the Era of Climate Change: Expert Perspectives on the Co-Benefits, Tradeoffs, and Future Directions”. The piece was developed alongside colleagues from the Evidence-Based Behavioral Medicine Special Interest Group.
Key Takeaways from the Publication:
Active Transportation as a Dual Solution: Experts highlighted active travel (such as walking, cycling, and public transit) as the most effective evidence-based strategy to boost physical activity while reducing carbon emissions—provided it replaces car travel rather than supplementing it.
Understanding Carbon Tradeoffs: The article addresses the environmental cost of certain activities, pointing out that travel to organized sports can account for up to 80% of their total carbon footprint, and calls for regionalized and seasonal activity options.
Adapting Existing Frameworks: Rather than inventing new theories, researchers can reorient established models—such as the Social Ecological Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and COM-B—to design sustainable, climate-conscious physical activity interventions.
Prioritizing Health Equity: The authors stress that populations most vulnerable to physical inactivity often face the highest risks from climate hazards (like extreme heat and air pollution) when exercising. Adaptation support to promote exercise in the context of climate hazards must prioritize disadvantaged communities.
Early Integration of Climate Goals: A primary recommendation for researchers and practitioners is to embed climate and planetary health goals directly into intervention designs right from the start, ensuring that strategies to promote human health actively protect the environment they rely on.