In our current news cycle centering on natural disaster, the ideas of climate change and humans' effect on our environment have been thrust into our collective psyche.
With the consequences of our actions in mind, our attention turns to large global events that have the draw to create a large environmental change, such as the Olympics.
Soon, it will fall to the French and particularly to Parisians to ensure the sustainability of the construction and projects they undertake as they prepare to host the 2024 Olympics, for which they won the bid Wednesday.
Expectations for the delivery of a sustainable Olympics will likely be heightened for a city whose name has practically become synonymous with climate legislation in light of the 2015 Paris climate accord.
Indeed both Paris and Tokyo – who will host the games in 2020 – should carefully consider the cases presented by the two previous hosting cities: Rio de Janeiro as a model for what to avoid and London as an example of what to imitate and further improve upon.
The best use possible should be made of structures that already exist, and any facility created specifically for the games should in fact not be solely for the games, but should be designed with the goal of an easy transition into a new life of public service.
Despite a somewhat complicated legacy, London was the first city to preemptively establish a Legacy Development Corporation with sustainability in mind for its 2012 games. Ninety-nine percent of waste from “installing and decommissioning” venues was recycled, and many of the sporting venues have opened for public use.
Officials responsible for planning the 2024 games have announced Paris will follow suit in making the aquatics center a post-games public pool. There are also plans for the Olympic Village and media center to be reused for housing.
For its part, Tokyo has released a comprehensive document detailing its goals for being an environmentally-conscious host. The plans include attentiveness to carbon emissions and careful management of waste and resources.
If done right, the Olympics can be an opportunity for a city to benefit from global attention and revenue and to improve the quality of life in the city even after the games are over.
At a time when deadly storms and natural disasters are breaking records, it is imperative that we heed the warning signs our planet is desperately trying to send us.
Indeed these might not be warning signs so much as clear indications of the damage we have already done, much of which is regrettably irrevocable. But despite how dire things may seem, we would be foolish to carry on with the characteristic irreverence we have shown our home so far.
It would be fantastic if emphasis on sustainability remained at the forefront of Olympic concerns indefinitely, and if successes in these endeavors inspired legislation and commerce to follow suit.
The Olympics celebrate such grand ideals as the strength of the human spirit and perseverance in the face of adversity. We ought to channel these same virtues in our efforts to save our planet.
mareklei@indiana.edu
@foreverfloral97
