Most of this information comes from Offsetters Climate Neutral Society, a not-for-profit organization established by two professors at the University of British Columbia.
Environment Minister Jim Pretence (oops, Prentice) announced this week that the $150,000 Canada is spending on carbon offsets will “help offset the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its Olympic Games.”
The 2010 Winter Games’ footprint will be an estimated 118,000 tonnes of direct carbon emissions – all emissions that are directly attributable to the 2010 Winter Games like venue construction, facility heating, and athlete travel. Additionally, this event will produce 150,000 tonnes of ‘indirect’ emissions – emissions that are largely attributable to flights and accommodation for spectators, media, corporate sponsors and their partners.
That runs to 268,000 tons at $25 a pop. Or seven million. Having spent 66 million of taxpayers money on Own the Podium, did none of our eggheads consider incorporating the carbon-cost in there? Or pick up the entire carbon-tab afterwards, to show we mean to be green?
This cheesy gratuity does nothing to boost Canada’a shrinking environmental stature.
Remember, this is only the estimated carbon cost, not the aftermath clean-up. For context on this mountainous problem, a recent Vancouver initialtive to reduce garbage generated at Christmas-time had the target of the equivalent of 85,500 full garbage trucks.
By all accounts the games were a roaring success commercially. Where is the carbon-offset contribution from Vancouver businesses?
love your analysis. It’s right on!!!!
i have a lot of friends who are supporters of the “Olympics”.
I pity them.
BUT -
- I send them love.
May the future hold greater promise.
I was not in favour of the Olympics when Vancouver was bidding. I protested against some of the environmental damage they would cause. It seems to me that not supporting the Olympics is misconstrued much like the war.
I support the Soldiers but not the war.
I support the athletes but not the Olympics.
Why is that so impossible for people to understand?
Wow