Turning Olympic Games Green: Eco-friendly

Yes: going green in the mantra in today's world for almost everyone and everything. There is hardly any sphere of life or world at large that has not been touch by environmental concerns. Sports can play a significant role in this venture and many of the authorities have already plunged into this. Now, one of the biggest and a dream-for-every-sportsperson event in the world is following the same path. According to a report presented by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are making sincere efforts to go green and to offset the carbon that would be generated throughout the games.

At the same time, it could prove to be a major booster, catalyst, and live-example for others to follow the suit-Olympic Games would prove to be a major landmark for the city of Beijing also. It is noticeable here that the Municipal Government and Government of China has spent more than $12 billion on the efforts that helps in introducing measures covering waste management, cleaner transport systems and water treatment. Apart from this, there is a new urban green belt including a 580 hectare Olympic Forest Park.

There are widespread innovations that are incorporated in the efforts for turning the games green, including the usage of solar power and recycling and reusing the materials. It is also true at the same time that there would be some areas of concerns that the authorities would need to look for in the future. And perhaps when we head to 2012 London Olympic Games, we would see those missed opportunities covered. That's why we can expect 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to be the torch-bearer for showing the world of games how to go green.

Let's venture now into individual areas where the games are concentrating to go green.

Energy

• As it is already pointed out, solar energy is used extensively to provide electricity for lawns, courtyards and streets at several venues, including the Olympic Village.

• Solar heating, geothermal and heat pump technology is also being deployed at many venues.

• In the Olympic Village, heating and cooling systems are provided from the reclaimed water which is taken from the Qinghe sewage treatment plant. With this arrangement, it is expected that around 60% of electricity will be saved, which otherwise could have been spent.

• The deployment of translucent membranes in the ceilings and walls of the National Aquatics Centre to allow in natural light is also a very good arrangement made by the authorities. This is one of the areas where a lot of electric energy is saved.

Transport

• This is of course one of the major issues-London has already banned private transportation for 2012 Olympic Games. However, the organizers here have a strategy offering free rides on public transport to spectators holding Olympic event tickets.

• The organizers have also worked out the emission control systems, and they have put in a total of 3060 petrol-powered cars, minivans and small buses that satisfy the emission standards for use.

Water and Waste

• As already pointed out, sewage water, rainwater, and irrigation systems are remodelled and invested heavily to make them more profitable for the use-this is one area where Beijing Olympic Games would do wonders.

• The organizers have set a target of achieving a 50% recycling of waste: this waste may include paper, metals and plastics at the venues of the games.

Environmentally friendly materials and ozone-depleting chemicals

• Usage of timbre has been reduced by extensive use of a wooden and recycled plastic composite for decorating facades, lining floors making, window shutters and picnic tables.

• One of the major achievements, which actually has been termed as "Extraordinary Achievement" by UNEP, is the avoidance of chemicals that damage the ozone layer. These chemicals are otherwise extensively used Games facilities and venues; and in equipment such as air conditioning and refrigeration units, and fire fighting kit.

• Carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform have been banned for use in laundry and electronic circuit board cleaning. These chemicals are especially dangerous for the environement.