The 2012 Olympics in London is a monumental step in Olympics History. London officials are very pound to boast that they are “Going to hold the world’s first truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games, leaving a legacy far beyond the departure of the Olympic Flame.”
The Olympics realize that there will be an estimated four billion people watching the games, with over 200 countries involved. Their approach is unprecedented containing five important elements that provide a framework for a holistic Sustainable Olympic games.
They have taken the responsibility to feature many sustainable projects like a liner park growing indigenous wild flowers to attract birds and encourage biodiversity, a no car mandate placing 7000 bicycling parking around the Olympic park to foster more active travel, a holistic recycling program that coordinates every piece of waste into a recycling container, and food that is to be all ethically and sustainability sourced.
One of the most important initiatives that London focused on was their work in the local communities. Inspired to “Change Places” and improve public space, the London Games created an outreach program working with 6,075 volunteers to encourage people to get out and transform their local community – “Improving the negative parts, and celebrating the good.” I truly wish that this framework of all five initiates would be applied to every city around the world!
Think about it- a community coming together on pride and ownership for their city, active travel and healthy transportation, being conscious of waste and where it goes and respect for the natural environment – it almost sounds like a utopia.
I can easily just talk about all the issues and controversy that is currently revolving around the Olympics, but why? Transparency is good, and acknowledging failures is respected. Those are values we live by, and commit to, but at this point how can we move forward when we always talk about the problems? We need to hold people and companies accountable and start to focus on successes and build upon what is working, because the things that are working are working quite well, and there is nothing like the Olympics to bring the world together.
Let’s support innovation and progress. Let’s come together for worthy causes and support solutions that are currently being implemented. Let’s stand up and share our voice.
What is your message?
Yours truly,
Keith Mulvin
Global Responsibility & Partnership Programs
