GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO OFFSET
CARBON EMISSIONS DURING THE 2010 WINTER GAMES


Environmental Panorama
International
February of 2010


VANCOUVER, B.C. -- February 16, 2010 -- Today, Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, announced the Government of Canada's commitment to offset federal greenhouse gas emissions for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"Canada is proud to be the first host country in history to help offset the greenhouse gas emissions of its Olympic Games," said Minister Prentice. "This commitment is one of many ways our Government is contributing to sustainable Games and meeting our global climate change responsibilities."

The Government of Canada's will invest an estimated $150 000 in carbon reduction initiatives to offset the estimated 7,600 tonnes of emissions created by the activities of thousands of government employees involved in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games; activities including employee air travel, accommodations and the Torch Relay event.

The carbon offsetting initiative is one of several initiatives the Government of Canada is undertaking, in close collaboration Vancouver Organizing Committee and other partners to build sustainability into the Games.

"The Government of Canada's support for the climate goals of the 2010 Winter Games is an important milestone and legacy from our Games" said VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong. "It demonstrates how Games organizers and partners can work together to reduce their own environmental footprint while also advancing the new technologies required to successfully make the transition to a low carbon economy."

Other federally supported initiatives include:

•Environmental assessments of venue sites to reduce the ecological footprint of the Games;
•The Canada Line representing 19 kilometers rail transit system that links downtown Vancouver with central Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport funded under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Program;
•The BC Hydrogen Highway project showcasing hydrogen and fuel-cell technology including fuel-cell vehicles and fuelling stations, and;
•The wave roof of the Richmond Oval made from recycled wood from trees destroyed by pine beetles.
"In addition to promoting sustainability at the Games, these innovative approaches will also showcase Canadian environmental technology and ingenuity to the world," added the Minister.

Related documents:
Offsetting Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Federal Participation in the 2010 Winter Games [Backgrounder 2010-02-16]
Speaking Notes for the Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP Minister of the Environment to announce offsetting federal carbon emissions [Speech 2010-02-16]
For more information, please contact:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment

+ More

Visit the Biosphère During Spring Break and Become Guardian of the Earth!

MONTRÉAL, Que. -- February 16, 2010 -- From February 27 to March 7, 2010, as part of its spring-break programming, the Biosphère will focus on raising the environmental awareness of young people.

To become a Guardian of the Earth, young people will be asked to tour the Biosphere's guided activities armed with special booklets that will be stamped for each activity they complete. By participating in some of the awareness-raising activities, they will earn the coveted certification of Guardian of the Earth, signifying their commitment to do what they can, everyday, to protect the environment.

Among the proposed activities is a new exhibit, entitled Canada's Waterscapes, that is sure to please parents and kids alike. In Canada's Waterscapes, visitors can dive into a study of estuaries, lakes, rivers, oceans and wetlands and uncover the bountiful life that depends upon these habitats. Presented in the same room, All the Water in the World will engage young people to protect this precious resource.

A film on biodiversity, entitled Man and His World, will be accompanied by a timely discussion in this International Year of Biodiversity. Also, the exhibit Tic Tac Tox will teach teenagers about humans sharing the planet with chemicals and toxic substances. Where are they? How can we protect ourselves from them? These questions and more will be answered during a fun-filled theatrical presentation inspired by the TV game shows of the 1960s.

For the younger set, the Creative Workshop showcasing handicrafts made with reclaimed materials will introduce them to the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Entrance to the Biosphère is free for those aged 17 and under. The museum, located on Ile Sainte-Hélène in Montréal, will be open on Monday March 1. Visit ec.gc.ca/biosphere for complete information on our programming and opening hours.

As an environmental museum, the mandate of Environment Canada's Biosphère is to encourage citizens to take action and get involved in environmental issues. In addition to presenting exhibits and special events, the Biosphère develops educational and awareness-raising products for a diverse clientele across Canada and is a recognized clearinghouse for environmental information.
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Environment Canada

+ More

Government of Canada Recognizes Youth "Do Your Part" 2010 Sustainability Contest Winners

VANCOUVER, B.C. - February 13, 2010 - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, congratulated Canadian youth at the "Do Your Part" video awards ceremony hosted by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

"I am very proud that Canada is hosting one of the most environmentally friendly Games the world has ever seen", said Minister Prentice. "This has required innovative Canadian thinking and a strong commitment to sustainability - qualities our young contest winners have clearly demonstrated in their videos."

As part of the video contest, youth aged 13-24 across Canada were invited to submit a 30-90 second video or animation clip profiling how they will live more sustainably during the 2010 Winter Games and beyond.

The Government of Canada has been working with VANOC and other Games partners from the beginning to build sustainability into the Games. Environment Canada has been a key partner in this effort providing environmental assessments of Olympic venues and federal leadership in this area.

Government of Canada investments have contributed to sustainable attributes found in many of the Olympic venues, including:

•the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre, which features sustainability elements influenced by a study on how to maximize environmental performance at minimum cost;
•the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village, which features Canada's first net-zero energy multi-use residential building; and
•the Richmond Oval, which has an innovative wave roof made from recycled wood from trees killed by pine beetles.
Advice and expertise provided during the environmental assessment process also had a direct impact on reducing the environmental footprint at Olympic venues.

Six Government of Canada supported initiativeshave also earned VANOC's Sustainability Star, an award recognizing initiatives by Games partners, sponsors and VANOC that demonstrate positive and measurable social, economic and environmental impacts.
For more information about the Government of Canada's role in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.canada2010.gc.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment

 
 

Source: Inquiry Centre Environment Canada
Press consultantship
All rights reserved

 
 
 
 

 

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