The U.K.-based Guardian newspaper cited a University of British Columbia study that found Olympics-related greenhouse gases increased eightfold during the 2010 Winter Olympics, compared with the lead-up phase of the Games.
The January 2 article failed to mention positive aspects of Vancouver’s Olympics identified in the October study produced by UBC’s Centre for Sport and Sustainability.
For example, the study noted economic benefits and the inclusion of aboriginal groups, minorities and a heightened recognition of persons with disabilities.
The Guardian article – “2012 Olympics: London, check Vancouver” – noted that “Olympic boosters dubbed Vancouver ‘the greenest Games ever.’”
However, according to UBC’s Centre for Sport and Sustainability report, greenhouse gas emissions increased steadily during the delivery phase of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and rose eight-fold during the games themselves.
A significant chunk of this derives from the inevitable need to travel to Vancouver to participate or watch the Games. More than half the energy used for the Games came from fossil fuels that many scientists believe exacerbate climate change.
Additionally, the production of solid waste during the Games was 10 times as much as before the Games were delivered and staged.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom