Carbon Offsets

We all contribute to global warming when we do things like heat and cool our homes, drive our cars, and fly on airplanes. The good news? BeGreen empowers you to take an active role in neutralizing your carbon emissions and reducing your impact on global warming. Simply follow our tips to begin decreasing the energy you use each day, and offset the rest of your carbon-emitting energy use through our easy-to-use carbon calculator and BeGreen Carbon Offsets. Once you do, tell the planet (or at least a few friends). Together we can make a world of difference, but we need your help. So go ahead and be green, now.

July 18, 2008

Beijing Olympics - Earning a Green Medal

With the Olympics arriving in Beijing they have brought with them some strong environmental initiatives that will help keep a tradition of minimizing the carbon footprint of the games. According the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) solar power is being used to light the Olympic Village and the National Stadium, along with lawns, courtyards, and streets at several other venues.

Solar heating is being utilized extensively at places like the Olympic Green Tennis Center, and reclaimed water from a sewage treatment plant is being used for the heating and cooling systems at the Olympic Village. A 60% energy savings is expected from this one program alone. Additionally, the National Aquatics Center has been outfitted with translucent membranes throughout its ceilings and walls to allow in natural light.

The Fengtai softball field and the Olympic Media Village are made up of permeable blocks that allow water to be recaptured through an underground system. UNEP has also stated that organizers have made an “extraordinary achievement” in regards to avoiding ozone damaging chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform, two chemicals primarily used for laundry and electronic circuit board cleaning.

Organizers have set an overall recycling goal of 50% for papers, metals, and plastics. All that is missing from the environmental mix for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games is a bit more emphasis on reducing consumption and the purchasing of carbon offsets to take the games to a carbon neutral level. Look out Vancouver in 2010, you have a lot to live up to, but there is still more room to grow.

5 months ago