| Though of course the Olympics games are a | | | | planets' worth of natural resources to support us. |
| celebration of sportsmanship, human achievement | | | | The 2012 sustainable policy sets out to light its |
| and international community, they also represent | | | | green beacon in a number of ways; from the |
| an opportunity to show off the organisational skills | | | | ground up, efforts are being made to minimise |
| and vision of the host nation. London's Olympic | | | | greenhouse gas emissions and also create facilities |
| committee have recently revealed their plans to | | | | that are able to cope with the impacts of climate |
| make London 2012 the first sustainable games, | | | | change. There will also be a commitment to |
| which they hope will set new standards for all | | | | minimising construction waste, and planners have |
| future Olympics events. | | | | announced that no waste produced during the |
| 2012 will therefore provide a platform for the | | | | Games will go to landfill; instead there will be |
| organisers to demonstrate excellence in the way | | | | on-site recycling and re-use of waste. |
| that the Games are planned and staged, and also | | | | The Games also have a strong biodiversity policy |
| the Olympic legacy that they will create, which | | | | involving the creation of new habitats on and |
| has the power to inspire changes in behaviour | | | | around Olympic buildings, and policies stating that |
| across the world. | | | | impact on the Lower Leah Valley and other |
| In light of the ever growing concerns of human | | | | Games venues will be minimised. |
| impact on our fragile planet, London has put | | | | The other big advantage that organisers are |
| sustainability at the heart of its Olympic plans. | | | | pushing is economic development; the Olympics |
| Throughout the entire biding process, the London | | | | will have a massive positive effect on the Lea |
| committee pushed its concept of a "One Planet | | | | Valley area, boosting regeneration in the East End, |
| Olympics" - an idea derived from the WWF | | | | as well as providing massive income for hotels in |
| Bioregional mandate of "One Planet Living". | | | | London and the UK tourist industry as a whole. |
| As the Olympics are the highest profile event in | | | | Whether the 2012 Games will turn out to be as |
| the world, the Games will give London the perfect | | | | green as the Olympics committee propose is yet |
| chance to demonstrate how we can change the | | | | to be seen, but if they can pull off their ambitious |
| way in which we build, work and travel to fit | | | | environmentally friendly plans, the impact is likely |
| within the resources available. Indeed, if the entire | | | | to have a huge positive influence not just on |
| world population were to live the same lifestyle as | | | | future games, but on the Western world in |
| the people of the UK, we would need thee | | | | general. |