Greenest Games Ever?

In an editorial published yesterday in The Guardian, Tony Blair spoke proudly about the 2012 London Olympics, with only 2,012 days remaining in the countdown. He claims the UK Games will be "the greenest games ever."

Blair writes that "the 2012 games will be a catalyst for one of the most extensive urban and environmental regeneration programmes ever seen in the UK." He talks of "sustainable building methods" and "reducing the carbon footprint." His masterful use of all the right buzzwords is impressive.

But wait, haven't we heard all this before? The Sydney Games were touted as "the greenest games ever." Then Torino took up the label. Vancouver is next on the list.

Gordon Campbell has been quick to jump aboard the sustainability-speak bandwagon, proclaiming loudly that the Vancouver Games will best all previous Games that have claimed the eco title. Yet shortly after his statements, as many Vancouverites know all too well, Campbell was spearheading the initiative to blast through Eagle Ridge Bluffs to make way for a four-lane highway to Whistler. The Bluffs are arguably the most sensitive wetlands area in the lower Mainland.

Have a look at VANOC's (Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) 6 sustainability principles. Do these seem entirely obvious to you?

(1) Ecological limits: Society must live within the earth's capacity to sustain life
(2) Interdependence: Economic and social prosperity are dependent upon the natural environment
(3) Long-term view: Today's decisions and action must not compromise the choices available to future generations
(4) Inclusiveness: Participation by all people must be promoted and decisions must be based on input from key stakeholders
(5) Equity: People must be empowered to live in a sustainable way and resources must be used fairly and efficiently to meet basic human needs worldwide
(6) Healthy communities: Community health and quality of life is integral to global sustainability.