London Olympic Organizers Sustain Promise
When making a bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, London organizers vowed to host the "first sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games." Now, with less than a year remaining before the Games ensue, it appears that this vision is indeed being sustained.
London's original Sustainability Plan, dubbed Towards a One Planet 2012, contains five core points to be embedded in the planning for, and execution of, the event. Those key themes are: Minimizing the Games' impact on climate change, minimizing waste at every stage of the project, minimizing the impact of the Games on wildlife and their habitats in and around the venues, promoting diversity and growth in London and the United Kingdom, and inspiring people to lead healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
With construction completed for all new main venues and infrastructure projects, the focus on local habitat is quite apparent. More than 250 hectares (or more than 600 acres) of industrial land, which was largely polluted, has been renovated into green space that can be a haven for wildlife. Natural banks have replaced concrete walls and metal sheeting, and invasive plant species have been removed throughout the Lower Lea Valley (the formerly downtrodden area of London in which a majority of the Games will occur). Efforts have been made to reduce flood risk and portions of the Olympic Park have been designated as species rich habitat.
To minimize waste, more than 95 percent of demolition material was recycled in construction on the site, and approximately 1.35 million metric tons of contaminated soil was treated and reused on site.
While rebuilding the utilities infrastructure for the area, climate change and sustainability were primary goals; this includes a new energy center, primary substation, pumping station, and 30 new bridges.
"With a year to go, we have already made huge improvements to the local environment and are beginning to see wildlife thrive," said Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the United Kingdom's Environment Agency. "Once completed, more than five miles of river and hundreds of hectares will have been created or rejuvenated, providing a refuge for wildlife for years to come."
