by Beth Gray

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver have come to a close.  The United States stood strong atop the medal podiums, taking home a total of 37 medals, edging out Germany with 30 and the host nation, Canada, with 26.  Few would argue that the Canadians staged a successful event.  Vancouver is known for having an environmentally friendly and forward-thinking population and in planning these Olympic Games, the Canadians were cognizant of the environmental impact such an event could have.

The City of Vancouver touts an active environmental program.  Vancouver hosts a variety of programs for residents including “One Day” which encourages citizens to take proactive measures to reduce carbon emissions in the city.  The city’s One Day website boasts a variety of ways in which the city and its citizens are working toward a more environmentally friendly future.  For example, “all new commercial and multifamily buildings are required to meet the strictest energy efficiency requirements in Canada” and for more than a decade, the city has actively promoted alternative modes of transportation with great success; since 1996, Vancouver has seen a “44 percent increase in walking, a 180 percent increase in bike trips, a 20 percent increase in transit use, and a 10 percent reduction in vehicle trips.”  Vancouver also hosts a program called Green Streets which encourages citizens to beautify their neighborhoods by adopting and maintaining street gardens. 

Olympic planners stated early on that Vancouver would strive to host the most environmentally friendly Games the world had ever seen.  With more than 250,000 visitors traveling to Vancouver for the Games, the city faced a tremendous challenge in achieving that goal.  In attempting to meet their goal, however, the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) took several significant steps.  Upon winning the city’s bid to host the Games, VANOC formed a meaningful partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  More tangible efforts toward greening the Games included low-flow toilets that used rainwater for flushing, separate waste receptacles for compostable waste, and energy-efficient grass covered roofs.  Additionally, VANOC increased its already expansive public transit system, encouraging visitors to move around the city using more environmentally friendly means. 

Read the rest of this entry »