While we at Climate Mama prepare for our trip to Vancouver and the Winter Olympics, people keep advising us to “pack” some “east coast” snow for the local mountains of Vancouver, which seem to be rather bare for this time of year! Climate change, or just “regular weather”, what do you think?
In preparation for the opening of the Olympic Games in Vancouver, and as a brief “Olympic primer” we want to provide you with some background on the philosophy behind “Olympism.” You might want to share this with the kids in your life as you settle in to watch the Games! What are the main tenants behind the Olympics, and how does this all fit in with environmentalism and sustainability issues?
According to the Olympic Charter: “The goal of Olympism, a life philosophy, is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man (and woman) with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity”. In 1995, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) created the Sport and Environment Commission, whose mission is the promotion of sustainable development and environmental responsibility through sports. In 2004 the IOC formally defined three core values for the Olympic Movement which together help to form a comprehensive framework to guide and link the movement’s mission, activities, and principles.
These three pillars are: Excellence, Friendship and Respect. The last pillar, Respect, is where the IOC identified respect for the environment as an important principal encompassing the need to develop and promote environmentally sustainable venues, practices and ideals, before, during and after the Games. 
From the smog in China at the last Summer Olympics, to the snow issues in Vancouver, the Olympic games are an opportunity for the world to recognize humankind’s impact on our planet. The VANOC has taken this to heart and is trying to educate all participants – Olympians, spectators and sponsors – about how important the health of our planet is and the recognition of our direct role and responsibility for taking care of our planet. By declaring these games carbon neutral, the VANOC is showcasing the need to take action on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, in this case, all the emissions directly and indirectly associated with the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Follow us as we explore and learn more from Vancouver and the Olympics on the ins and outs of the first Carbon Neutral Games!
