The Beijing Olympics slogan proudly proclaims “One World One Dream.” According to them, it reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit and the core and soul of the three concepts -- "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics.”
I have absolutely no problems with what they have stated above, except for a tiny thought gnawing away at my conscience. It has to do with the term “Green Olympics.”
China is pulling out all stops with respect to the massive PR exercise involving a 50-member team that will take the Olympic Torch to the summit of Mount Everest. It is sad to see that most of the newspapers are focusing on the political issue revolving around the ethnicity of the climbers. Does any one care about the fragile ecosystem surrounding the world’s highest peak?
The pristine environment surrounding the peak has been constantly battered by the pollution and garbage left behind the climbers. Since it was first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, Everest has been climbed more than 3,000 times.
Since then it has been reported that about 50 tonnes of rubbish has been strewn across the mountain.
For China it might seem as the ultimate statement to showcase grandeur by taking the torch to the summit. But what about the after effects of 50 climbers climbing the mountain accompanied by a huge media contingent. What about all the gas they are going to burn to keep themselves warm in the tents? What about all the oxygen cylinders that are going to be left behind? The very concept of taking a flame to the summit beats the idea of conserving the ecosystem of a niche environment found at the Everest. When they are at it they might even make a huge bonfire at the peak and dance around it, for they care two hoots about preserving the fragile ecosystem.
Did some one say “Green Olympics?” I can only see a giant fire breathing dragon looking down with impunity from the summit of Mount Everest.
Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Vagabondish.com, The Guardian
By Rakesh Reddy
Monday, May 5, 2008
Did Someone Say 'Green Olympics'?
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2 comments:
Rightly said, a very good article that has to be published out of EmPower to increase awareness. China like India is pushing the idea of promoting Green Earth, but a totally contradictory decision that might go a long way in actually harming the country's Green Movement in the UN Climate Meet next time. Olympics is to promote international harmony among nations by means of sports. So, let it be a memorable event and lets not harm the nature in any way. The Chinese govt. has to rethink twice before sending the Olympic torch to Mt. Everest.
Hi Rakesh, happy to see that you are updating us with such information frequently..u are rite, no one is bothered about ecosystem surrounding Mount Everest. Trash, especially from abandoned equipment like oxygen cylinders, is a huge problem at Mount Everest. Who cares! All they want is fame & destruction of ecosystem in the name of "development" or "advancement" !!! I think that the term "development" is simply a euphemism that covers up how projects like road building may destroy Everest's extremely fragile ecology.
There is one more threat to Mount Everest, and that is "global warming". Peter Hillary has said that base camp at Everest has slid from an elevation of 5,320 meters, when his father climbed Everest, to 5,280 meters and continues to sink each year. The younger Hillary, who has scaled Everest twice, also warned of the effects of glacial lakes bursting. Glacial lakes that fill up with too much water can breach their natural barriers -- which themselves are frequently made of ice -- unleashing a massive flood.
Please keep posting such articles, which are really needed now!!!
Keep them coming :-)
Regards,
Shilpa C Nangali
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