2010 Olympic Games Should Go Carbon Neutral

News Release
Seventy-one of Canada’s Top Athletes Call for Carbon Neutral 2010 Olympics
For immediate release—February 5, 2009
Vancouver—More than 70 of Canada’s top Olympic and national team athletes are
calling on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games (VANOC) to make the 2010 Winter Games carbon neutral.
"We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and use the inspirational power of the
Olympics. Let’s show the world that together we can put effective climate change
solutions into action," said Adam Kreek, Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist in rowing.
VANOC CEO John Furlong has publicly stated that climate change is at the top of
VANOC’s environmental agenda, and that VANOC’s goal is to hold a carbon neutral
Games. “The good news is that the cost of meeting VANOC’s commitment is affordable
at an estimated 0.3 per cent of the Games’ total budget. And this is an excellent
opportunity for an Olympic sponsor,” said Deborah Carlson, Climate Change Specialist
with the David Suzuki Foundation.
With just one year to go, time is running out for VANOC to announce a program to deal
with the climate impact of the Games. The 71 athletes, many of whom will be competing
in the 2010 Winter Olympics, have addressed their concerns in an open letter to VANOC
CEO John Furlong.
“Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country skier, I have seen the seasons

becoming less predictable, and races being cancelled more frequently due to lack of
snow, said Sara Renner, Olympic cross-country ski silver medalist for Canada. “I am
concerned about the future of the sports we love, but also about the next generation of
Canadians, who will be left to deal with even more serious climate change impacts if we
don’t act now,” added Renner.
– 30 –
For further information:
Kristen Ostling, Media Relations, David Suzuki Foundation, kostling@davidsuzuki.org,

778-987-9907
To download the athletes’ open letter to VANOC CEO John Furlong, read a backgrounder
on a carbon neutral 2010 Winter Games, or view a public sign-on letter to VANOC:
www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/Projects/Olympics
The Winnipeg Sun
Athletes go green ; Ask organizers to be sure Games are carbon neutral
Friday, February 6, 2009
Page: S6
Section: Sports
Byline: BY DONNA SPENCER, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Illustrations: photo by Jeff Mcintosh, the Canadian Press
Snowboarder Justin Lamoureux displays the green message on his board yesterday at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.
Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing

what he can to save winter. "Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,"
said Renner, a three-time Olympian. "Things will
The 32-year-old from Squamish, B.C., sold his have to change. Vancouver and VANOC can really
gas-guzzling truck to buy a small car. He bought make that difference."
$400 worth of carbon offsets last year to compensate
for the carbon-producing flights he took competing While VANOC has reduced its carbon footprint by
around the world. making venues energy efficient, the athletes want to
know how the organizing committee will address
Written on the nose of his snowboard are the words energy use at venues, local transportation and travel
"Ride Carbon Neutral." to the Olympics by athletes, officials and spectators.
And Lamoureux was one of 74 Canadian athletes They've also asked VANOC to use its platform to
who co-signed a letter sent yesterday to the 2010 campaign aggressively for the environment and
Olympic Games organizing committee (VANOC) in inspire Canadians address climate change.
Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., urging CEO John
Furlong to do more to make the Winter Games green. The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
footprint comes from air travel and the Olympics
"Being in the mountains most days of my life and Games are no different.
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like
that, I want it to stop," Lamoureux said yesterday in The foundation estimated 69% the 2010 Olympics'
Calgary. "I want future generations to be able to play carbon footprint will come from air travel by
in the snow." participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
and spectators. The Foundation states VANOC could
The athletes ask the public to endorse their letter via buy carbon credits for less than $5 million to
the David Suzuki Foundation website at compensate for those flights.
www.davidsuzuki.org.
Carbon credits are controversial because the market
One of Furlong's stated goals is to stage a is unregulated. A common complaint is what is the
carbon-neutral Games, which means net zero point of buying into a carbon offset program to plant
greenhouse gas emissions. trees if the trees aren't cared for and die.
Carbon neutrality is achieved by both reducing The athletes are asking for at least 20% of the carbon
environmental impact and buying carbon offsets to offsets VANOC purchases to fall under the Gold
compensate for damage that can't be avoided. Carbon Standard, which are environmental projects backed
offsets are projects such as wind farms or solar-panel by the World Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace and
installations. the David Suzuki Foundation.
When VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation VANOC says it will release details on how it will
to estimate the impact of the 2010 Olympics, which deal with greenhouse gas emissions from the
run from Feb. 12 to 28, the answer was about Olympics during the World Conference on Sport and
328,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the the Environment March 29 to 31 in Vancouver.
equivalent of 65,600 cars on the road for one year.
© 2009 Sun Media Corporation. All rights reserved.
Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra Crawford
and Sara Renner, Boston Bruins defenceman Andrew
Ference, speedskater Kristina Groves, Paralympian
Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker Adam van Koeverden
are among the athletes who asked Furlong to adhere
to his commitment of a carbon-neutral Games.
These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki

Foundation's Play It Cool program, which helps them
calculate their carbon footprint and lives carbon
neutral lives.
FPinfomart.ca Page 1
The Province
70-plus Canadian athletes sign carbon-neutral letter
Page: A25
Section: News
Byline: Clare Ogilvie
Dateline: WHISTLER
Source: The Province
Over 70 Canadian athletes have signed a letter to

2010 Olympic boss John Furlong urging him to make
sure the Games are carbon neutral.
"I think that would send a very powerful message to

big organizations and big events that this is standard
procedure," said Olympic cross-country silver
medallist Sara Renner of Italy.
Renner and husband Thomas Grandi helped found

Play it Cool in 2006 with the David Suzuki
Foundation to get athletes to offset their carbon
emissions. The foundation is supporting the athletes
in their bid to get the 2010 Games to be carbon
neutral.
The organization has estimated that the emissions

produced by the Games are equal to keeping 65,600
cars on the road for one year. It would cost the
Vancouver organizing committee about $5 million to
buy offsets for its greenhouse gas emissions -- that's
about 0.3 per cent of its $1.76-billion operating
budget.
"At this point what we have got from VANOC is a

vision of a carbon-neutral Games, but we are still a
little short on action to make it a reality," said
Deborah Carlson, climate change specialist with the
foundation.
Linda Coady, VANOC's vice-president of

sustainability, said: "We agree that offsets used to
neutralize the carbon footprint of the Games have to
be highly credible and that the Games provide an
opportunity to engage athletes and the public on
climate solutions."
VANOC plans to offset emissions from officials,

staff and athletes but not indirect emissions from
spectators.
To find out more and to add your signature to the

letter to VANOC, go to
www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Chan
ge/Projects/Olympics.
clareogilvie@telus.net
Portage La Prairie
Athletes want a green Games
Page: 9
Section: Sports
Byline: BY DONNA SPENCER, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing said Renner, a three-time Olympian. "Things will
what he can to save winter. have to change. Vancouver and VANOC can really
make that difference."
The 32-year-old from Squamish, B.C., sold his
gas-guzzling truck to buy a small car. He bought While VANOC has reduced its carbon footprint by
$400 worth of carbon offsets last year to compensate making venues energy efficient, the athletes want to
for the carbon-producing flights he took competing know how the organizing committee will address
around the world. energy use at venues, local transportation and travel
to the Olympics by athletes, officials and spectators.
Written on the nose of his snowboard are the words
"Ride Carbon Neutral." They've also asked VANOC to use its platform to
campaign aggressively for the environment and
And Lamoureux was one of 74 Canadian athletes inspire Canadians address climate change.
who co-signed a letter sent yesterday to the 2010
Olympic Games organizing committee (VANOC) in The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., urging CEO John footprint comes from air travel and the Olympics
Furlong to do more to make the Winter Games green. Games are no different.
"Being in the mountains most days of my life and The foundation estimated 69% the 2010 Olympics'
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like carbon footprint will come from air travel by
that, I want it to stop,"Lamoureux said Thursday in participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
Calgary. "I want future generations to be able to play and spectators. The Foundation states VANOC could
in the snow."" buy carbon credits for less than $5 million to
compensate for those flights.
The athletes ask the public to endorse their letter via
the David Suzuki Foundation website at Carbon credits are controversial because the market
www.davidsuzuki.org. is unregulated. A common complaint is what is the
point of buying into a carbon offset program to plant
One of Furlong's stated goals is to stage a trees if the trees aren't cared for and die.
carbon-neutral Games, which means net zero
greenhouse gas emissions. The athletes are asking for at least 20% of the carbon
offsets VANOC purchases to fall under the Gold
Carbon neutrality is achieved by both reducing Standard, which are environmental projects backed
environmental impact and buying carbon offsets to by the World Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace and
compensate for damage that can't be avoided. Carbon the David Suzuki Foundation.
offsets are projects such as wind farms or solar-panel
installations. VANOC says it will release details on how it will
deal with greenhouse gas emissions from the
When VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation Olympics during the World Conference on Sport and
to estimate the impact of the 2010 Olympics, which the Environment March 29 to 31 in Vancouver.
run from Feb. 12-28, the answer was about 328,000
tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent © 2009 Sun Media Corporation. All rights reserved.
of 65,600 cars on the road for one year.

and Sara Renner, Boston Bruins def-enceman
Andrew Ference, speedskater Kristina Groves,
Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker Adam
van Koeverden are among the athletes who asked
Furlong to adhere to his commitment of a
carbon-neutral Games.
These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki

neutral lives.
"Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,"
The Globe And Mail
Athletes press for carbon-neutral Olympics
Page: A4
Section: National News
Byline: Donna Spencer
Source: The Canadian Press
Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing

what he can to save winter.
"VANOC is on the right track in terms of its vision
The 32-year-old from Squamish, B.C., sold his with respect to a carbon neutral goal," said Deborah
gas-guzzling truck to buy a small car. He bought Carlson, a climate-change specialist with the David
$400 worth of carbon offsets last year to compensate Suzuki Foundation. "We need more specific, concrete
for the carbon-producing flights he took competing action."
around the world.
The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
Written on the nose of his snowboard are the words footprint comes from air travel and the Olympic
"Ride Carbon Neutral." Games are no different.
And Mr. Lamoureux was one of 74 Canadian athletes The foundation estimates 69 per cent of the 2010
who co-signed a letter yesterday to the 2010 Olympic Olympics' carbon footprint will come from air travel
Games organizing committee in Vancouver and by participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
Whistler, B.C., urging chief executive officer John and spectators. The foundation says VANOC could
Furlong to do more to make the Winter Games green. buy carbon credits for less than $5-million to
"Being in the mountains most days of my life and
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like © 2009 CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights
that, I want it to stop," Mr. Lamoureux said in Reserved.
Calgary yesterday. "I want future generations to be
able to play in the snow."
The athletes are asking the public to endorse their

letter via the David Suzuki Foundation website at
http://www.davidsuzuki.org.
One of Mr. Furlong's stated goals is to stage a

carbon-neutral Games, which means zero net
greenhouse-gas emissions.
Carbon neutrality is achieved by reducing emissions

and buying carbon offsets to compensate for
emissions that can't be avoided. Carbon offsets are
projects such as wind farms or solar-panel
installations.
When the Vancouver Olympic Committee asked the

David Suzuki Foundation to estimate the impact of
the 2010 Olympics, which run from Feb. 12 through
Feb. 28, the answer was about 328,000 tonnes of
greenhouse-gas emissions, or the equivalent of
65,600 cars on the road for one year.
Mr. Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra

Crawford and Sara Renner, Boston Bruins
defenceman Andrew Ference, speedskater Kristina
Groves, Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker
Adam van Koeverden are among the athletes who
asked Mr. Furlong to adhere to his commitment of a
carbon-neutral Games.
While VANOC has reduced its carbon footprint by

making venues energy efficient, the athletes want to
know how the organizing committee will address
energy use at venues, local transportation and travel
The Belleville Intelligencer
Canadian athletes want 2010 Vancouver Games to be green;
Page: 16
Section: Sports
Byline: THE CANADIAN PRESS;
The 32-year-old from Squamish, B. C., sold his
who co-signed a letter sent Thursday to the 2010
Olympic Games organizing committee in Vancouver "VANOC is on the right track in terms of its vision
and Whistler, B. C., urging chief executive officer with respect to a carbon neutral goal," said Deborah
John Furlong to do more to make the Winter Games Carlson, who is a climate change specialist with the
green. David Suzuki Foundation. "We need more specific,
concrete action.
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like "They have many opportunities in terms of the media
that, I want it to stop," Lamoureux said Thursday in and corporate sponsors to take up this message."
Calgary. "I want future generations to be able to play
in the snow." The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
The athletes are asking the public to endorse their Games are no different.
www.davidsuzuki.org. The foundation estimated 69 per cent the 2010
Olympics' carbon footprint will come from air travel
One of Furlong's stated goals is to stage a by participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
carbon-neutral Games, which means net zero and spectators. The Foundation states VANOC could
greenhouse gas emissions. buy carbon credits for less than $5 million to
Carbon neutrality is achieved by both reducing
environmental impact and buying carbon offsets to VANOC says it will release details on how it will
compensate for damage that can't be avoided. Carbon deal with greenhouse gas emissions from the
offsets are projects such as wind farms or solar-panel Olympics during the World Conference on Sport and
installations. the Environment March 29-31.
When VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation "The David Suzuki Foundation has provided
to estimate the impact of the 2010 Olympics, which VANOC with advice on the carbon plan for the 2010
run from Feb. 12 to 28, the answer was about Games and we value their input," said Linda Coady,
328,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the VANOC's vice-president of sustainability, in a
equivalent of 65,600 cars on the road for one year. statement. "We are committed to tracking and
publicly reporting on both direct Games-based
Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra Crawford emissions and indirect emissions from air travel.
Ference, speedskater Kristina Groves, Paralympian "We agree that offsets used to neutralize the carbon
Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker Adam van Koeverden footprint of the Games have to be highly credible and
are among the athletes who asked Furlong to adhere that the Games provide an opportunity to engage
to his commitment of a carbon-neutral Games. athletes and the public on climate solutions."
These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki © 2009 Osprey Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.
neutral lives.
Alaska Highway News
Canada's athletes campaign for a green 2010 Games in Vancouver
Page: A6
Section: Sports
Byline: Donna Spencer
Source: Canadian Press
Olympic Games organizing committee in Vancouver "VANOC is on the right track in terms of its vision
and Whistler, B.C., urging chief executive officer with respect to a carbon neutral goal," said Deborah
green. David Suzuki Foundation. "We need more specific,
concrete action.
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like "They have many opportunities in terms of the media
that, I want it to stop," Lamoureux said Thursday in and corporate sponsors to take up this message."
Calgary. "I want future generations to be able to play
in the snow." The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
The athletes are asking the public to endorse their Games are no different.
www.davidsuzuki.org. The foundation estimated 69 per cent the 2010
Olympics' carbon footprint will come from air travel
One of Furlong's stated goals is to stage a by participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
carbon-neutral Games, which means net zero and spectators. The Foundation states that VANOC
greenhouse gas emissions. could buy carbon credits for less than $5 million to
Carbon neutrality is achieved by both reducing
environmental impact and buying carbon offsets to VANOC says it will release details on how it will
compensate for damage that can't be avoided. Carbon deal with greenhouse gas emissions from the
offsets are projects such as wind farms or solar-panel Olympics during the World Conference on Sport and
installations. the Environment March 29 to 31 in Vancouver.
When VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation "The David Suzuki Foundation has provided
to estimate the impact of the 2010 Olympics, which VANOC with advice on the carbon plan for the 2010
run from Feb. 12 to 28, the answer was about Games and we value their input," said Linda Coady,
328,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the VANOC's vice-president of sustainability, in a
equivalent of 65,600 cars on the road for one year. statement. "We are committed to tracking and
Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra Crawford emissions and indirect emissions from air travel.
Ference, speedskater Kristina Groves, Paralympian "We agree that offsets used to neutralize the carbon
Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker Adam van Koeverden footprint of the Games have to be highly credible and
are among the athletes who asked Furlong to adhere that the Games provide an opportunity to engage
to his commitment of a carbon-neutral Games. athletes and the public on climate solutions."
These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki © 2009 Hollinger Canadian Newspapers Limited
Foundation's Play It Cool program, which helps them Partnership
neutral lives.
The Canadian Press
Canada's athletes campaign for a green 2010 Winter Games in
Vancouver
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Section: Sports In General
Byline: BY DONNA SPENCER
Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing said Renner, a three-time Olympian. ``Things will
make that difference.''
``Ride Carbon Neutral.'' They've also asked VANOC to use its platform to
Olympic Games organizing committee in Vancouver ``VANOC is on the right track in terms of its vision
and Whistler, B.C., urging chief executive officer with respect to a carbon neutral goal,'' said Deborah
green. David Suzuki Foundation. ``We need more specific,
concrete action.
``Being in the mountains most days of my life and
seeing glaciers retreat over the years and things like ``They have many opportunities in terms of the
that, I want it to stop,'' Lamoureux said Thursday in media and corporate sponsors to take up this
Calgary. ``I want future generations to be able to play message.''
in the snow.''
The athletes find the biggest part of their carbon
The athletes are asking the public to endorse their footprint comes from air travel and the Olympics
letter via the David Suzuki Foundation website at Games are no different.
www.davidsuzuki.org.
The foundation estimated 69 per cent the 2010
One of Furlong's stated goals is to stage a Olympics' carbon footprint will come from air travel
carbon-neutral Games, which means net zero by participants, officials, sponsors, employees, media
greenhouse gas emissions. and spectators. The Foundation states that VANOC
could buy carbon credits for less than $5 million to
Carbon neutrality is achieved by both reducing compensate for those flights.
environmental impact and buying carbon offsets to
compensate for damage that can't be avoided. Carbon Carbon credits are controversial because the market
offsets are projects such as wind farms or solar-panel is unregulated. A common complaint is what is the
installations. point of buying into a carbon offset program to plant
trees if the trees aren't cared for and die.
When VANOC asked the David Suzuki Foundation
to estimate the impact of the 2010 Olympics, which Another criticism is that carbon offsets don't foster
run from Feb. 12 to 28, the answer was about environmental responsibility at home. If you invest in
328,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, or the a wind farm in Madagascar or a solar stoves in
equivalent of 65,600 cars on the road for one year. Ethiopia, but are environmentally slothful where you
live, how can you be carbon neutral?
and Sara Renner, Boston Bruins defenceman Andrew The athletes are asking for at least 20 per cent of the
Ference, speedskater Kristina Groves, Paralympian carbon offsets VANOC purchases to fall under the
Chantal Petitclerc and kayaker Adam van Koeverden Gold Standard, which are environmental projects
are among the athletes who asked Furlong to adhere backed by the World Wildlife Federation,
to his commitment of a carbon-neutral Games. Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation.
These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki VANOC says it will release details on how it will
Foundation's Play It Cool program, which helps them deal with greenhouse gas emissions from the
calculate their carbon footprint and lives carbon Olympics during the World Conference on Sport and
neutral lives. the Environment March 29 to 31 in Vancouver.
``Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,'' ``The David Suzuki Foundation has provided
VANOC with advice on the carbon plan for the 2010
Games and we value their input,'' said Linda Coady,
VANOC's vice-president of sustainability, in a
statement. ``We are committed to tracking and
emissions and indirect emissions from air travel.
``We agree that offsets used to neutralize the carbon

footprint of the Games have to be highly credible and
that the Games provide an opportunity to engage
athletes and the public on climate solutions.''
Vancouver's sustainability budget, which includes the

environment, inner-city programs and Aboriginal
participation in the Games, is about $15.6 million out
of an operating budget of about $1.6 billion,
according to the foundation.
Some of VANOC's environmental practices included

using reclaimed lumber for the six-acre roof of the
speed skating venue in Richmond, as well as caching
storm water from the Olympic Oval's roof for the
facility's toilets and irrigation of the grounds.
``They've done well making their venues energy

efficient and stuff like that,'' Lamoureux said. ``We're
not heckling or bad-mouthing them. We're just trying
to nudge them along.''
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press
Canada News-wire
Over Seventy of Canada's Top Athletes Call for Carbon Neutral 2010
Olympics
Dateline: VANCOUVER, Feb. 5
Time: 06:00 (Eastern Time)
VANCOUVER, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - More than 70 of

Canada's top Olympic and national team athletes are
calling on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for
the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
(VANOC) to make the 2010 Winter Games carbon
neutral.
"We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and

use the inspirational power of the Olympics. Let's
show the world that together we can put effective
climate change solutions into action," said Adam
Kreek, Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist in rowing.
VANOC CEO John Furlong has publicly stated that

climate change is at the top of VANOC's
environmental agenda, and that VANOC's goal is to
hold a carbon neutral Games. "The good news is that
the cost of meeting VANOC's commitment is
affordable at an estimated 0.3 per cent of the Games'
total budget. And this is an excellent opportunity for
an Olympic sponsor," said Deborah Carlson, Climate
Change Specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation.
With just one year to go, time is running out for

VANOC to announce a plan to deal with the climate
impact of the Games. The athletes, many of whom
will be competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics, have
addressed their concerns in an open letter to VANOC
CEO John Furlong.
"Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country

skier, I have seen the seasons becoming less
predictable, and races being cancelled more
frequently due to lack of snow," said Sara Renner,
Olympic cross-country ski silver medalist for
Canada. "I am concerned about the future of the
sports we love, but also about the next generation of
Canadians, who will be left to deal with even more
serious climate change impacts if we don't act now,"
added Renner.
To download a media backgrounder on a carbon

neutral 2010 Winter Games: www.
davidsuzuki.org/files/reports/cc
_backgrounder_final.pdf.
To download the athletes' letter, or view a public

sign-on letter to VANOC:
www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Chan
ge/Projects/Olympics.
© 2009 CNW Group Ltd.
Vancouver Sun
Athletes urge Vanoc to go greener; Letter from Olympians says words
aren't enough on carbon-neutral pledge
Page: A3
Section: News
Byline: Jeff Lee
Source: Vancouver Sun
Illustrations: Colour Photo: Justin Lamoureux: campaigning for greener Games.
Some of Canada's best-known Olympic athletes are sustainability, said that program will be made public
telling the Vancouver Organizing Committee it isn't at the World Conference on Sport and Environment
acting fast enough on its promise to make the 2010 at the end of March in Vancouver.
Winter Games carbon-neutral.
"We value [the foundation's] input," Coady said in an
In a letter to Vanoc CEO John Furlong, the athletes -- e-mail. "Vanoc's commitment is to take responsibility
including gold-medallist rower Adam Kreek, for offsetting our direct emissions from the Games.
silver-medallist cross-country skier Sarah Renner and We also agree that offsets used to neutralize the
snowboarder Justin Lamoureux -- say the organizing carbon footprint of the Games have to be highly
committee should lead by example and announce a credible. We plan to release further details on our
program to deal with the entire carbon footprint of carbon management program [at the conference]."
the Olympic Games.
Lamoureux said that for all its efforts, Vanoc still has
The three are joined by 71 other athletes in a letter to do more. "Their hearts are in the right place. They
signed and sent to Furlong on Wednesday through have made a commitment to being carbon neutral.
the David Suzuki Foundation. The whole point of the letter is to get them to act on it
now because the Games are just a year away," he
Vanoc asked the foundation in 2007 to estimate the said. "I'd just like to see them follow up on their
amount of greenhouse-gas emissions that would be campaign promises, so to speak."
produced by the Games. The foundation came up
with a figure of 328,000 tonnes -- or the equivalent of Lamoureux said he and many other athletes already
emissions from 65,000 cars on the road for one year have the solution: when they fly anywhere they buy
-- and showed Vanoc how to offset that amount. "gold standard" offsets from companies such as
planetair.ca. Those offsets are then used to pay for
It said 69 per cent of the emissions will come from environmental projects around the world.
air travel by athletes, spectators, sponsors and media.
It calculated that it would cost Vanoc about $5 Deborah Carlson, a climate-change specialist with the
million to buy enough credits to offset its carbon David Suzuki Foundation, said the concern is that
production. Vanoc is not going to be fully carbon-neutral, just
"carbon-responsible."
Even before Vanoc was created, bid organizers told
the International Olympic Committee they wanted to "I think semantically, we're on the same page. Vanoc
fully offset the environmental impact of the Games. is on the right track in terms of the vision of going
carbon-neutral, but they just need to match that vision
Since its inception, Vanoc has undertaken significant with some specific, concrete plans," she said.
environmental sustainability initiatives, including
designing carbon-reduced venues, carpooling and "We're not criticizing what they've done, we're just
using hybrid or low-emission vehicles. It has also trying to give them a little push and create
said it is calculating both the direct and indirect momentum for them."
Games-based emissions from events such as air
travel. jefflee@vancouversun.com
It plans to offset direct emissions created by Vanoc

staff by purchasing offsets. But it doesn't plan to
offset any of the indirect emissions created by
visitors jetting to Vancouver for the Games.
However, the athletes and the David Suzuki

Foundation say in order for Vanoc to be fully carbon
neutral, it needs to account for and offset all the
direct and indirect emissions the Games create.
Vanoc has yet to complete a "carbon management

plan" that calculates the total carbon footprint of the
Games. Linda Coady, Vanoc's vice-president of
Vancouversun.Com
Athletes urge Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to go greener
Section: Online
Byline: Jeff lee
Source: Vancouver Sun
Some of Canada's best-known Olympic athletes are

telling the Vancouver Organizing Committee it isn't
acting fast enough on its promise to make the 2010 "We value [the foundation's] input," Coady said in an
Winter Games carbon-neutral. e-mail. "Vanoc's commitment is to take responsibility
for offsetting our direct emissions from the Games.
In a letter to Vanoc CEO John Furlong, the athletes - We also agree that offsets used to neutralize the
including gold- medallist rower Adam Kreek, carbon footprint of the Games have to be highly
silver-medallist cross-country skier Sarah Renner and credible. We plan to release further details on our
snowboarder Justin Lamoureux - say the organizing carbon management program [at the conference]."
committee should lead by example and announce a
program to deal with the entire carbon footprint of Lamoureux said that for all its efforts, Vanoc still has
the Olympic Games. to do more. "Their hearts are in the right place. They
have made a commitment to being carbon neutral.
The three are joined by 71 other athletes in a letter The whole point of the letter is to get them to act on it
signed and sent to Furlong on Wednesday through now because the Games are just a year away," he
the David Suzuki Foundation. said. "I'd just like to see them follow up on their
campaign promises, so to speak."
Vanoc asked the foundation in 2007 to estimate the
amount of greenhouse-gas emissions that would be Lamoureux said he and many other athletes already
produced by the Games. The foundation came up have the solution: when they fly anywhere they buy
with a figure of 328,000 tonnes - or the equivalent of "gold standard" offsets from companies such as
emissions from 65,000 cars on the road for one year - planetair.ca. Those offsets are then used to pay for
and showed Vanoc how to offset that amount. environmental projects around the world.
It said 69 per cent of the emissions will come from Deborah Carlson, a climate-change specialist with the
air travel by athletes, spectators, sponsors and media. David Suzuki Foundation, said the concern is that
It calculated that it would cost Vanoc about $5 Vanoc is not going to be fully carbon- neutral, just
million to buy enough credits to offset its carbon "carbon-responsible."
production.
"I think semantically, we're on the same page. Vanoc
Even before Vanoc was created, bid organizers told is on the right track in terms of the vision of going
the International Olympic Committee they wanted to carbon-neutral, but they just need to match that vision
fully offset the environmental impact of the Games. with some specific, concrete plans," she said.
Since its inception, Vanoc has undertaken significant "We're not criticizing what they've done, we're just
environmental sustainability initiatives, including trying to give them a little push and create
designing carbon-reduced venues, carpooling and momentum for them."
using hybrid or low-emission vehicles. It has also
said it is calculating both the direct and indirect jefflee@vancouversun.com
Games-based emissions from events such as air
travel.
It plans to offset direct emissions created by Vanoc

staff by purchasing offsets. But it doesn't plan to
offset any of the indirect emissions created by
visitors jetting to Vancouver for the Games.
However, the athletes and the David Suzuki

Foundation say in order for Vanoc to be fully carbon
neutral, it needs to account for and offset all the
direct and indirect emissions the Games create.
Vanoc has yet to complete a "carbon management

plan" that calculates the total carbon footprint of the
Games. Linda Coady, Vanoc's vice-president of
sustainability, said that program will be made public
at the World Conference on Sport and Environment
at the end of March in Vancouver.
Theprovince.Com
Athletes urge VANOC to green the Games
Section: Online
Byline: Clare Ogilvie
Source: The Province
WHISTLER - More than 70 of Canada's top Olympic

and national-team athletes are calling on organizers
of the 2010 Games to get serious about going green.
They will be sending a letter to John Furlong, CEO of

the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010
Games (VANOC) Thursday to ask that the
organization put a plan in place for the event to be
carbon neutral.
"We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and

use the inspirational power of the Olympics," said
Adam Kreek, a Beijing Olympic gold medallist in
rowing.
"Let's show the world that together we can put

effective climate change solutions into action."
VANOC has stated that it is working on a plan to go

carbon neutral but the details are yet to be released.
"The good news is that the cost of meeting VANOC's

commitment is affordable, at an estimated 0.3 per
cent of the Games' total budget," said Deborah
Carlson, a climate change specialist with the David
Suzuki Foundation.
"And this is an excellent opportunity for an Olympic

sponsor."
Canadian Olympic cross-country skier Sara Renner is

one of the athletes who signed the open letter to
VANOC on going carbon neutral.
"Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country

skier, I have seen the seasons becoming less
predictable, and races being cancelled more
frequently due to lack of snow," she said.
"I am concerned about the future of the sports we

love, but also about the next generation of Canadians,
who will be left to deal with even more serious
climate change impacts if we don't act now."
clareogilvie@telus.net

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News Release

For immediate release—February 5, 2009

“Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country skier, I have seen the seasons

For further information:

Kristen Ostling, Media Relations, David Suzuki Foundation, kostling@davidsuzuki.org,

Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing

These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki

Over 70 Canadian athletes have signed a letter to

"I think that would send a very powerful message to

Renner and husband Thomas Grandi helped found

The organization has estimated that the emissions

"At this point what we have got from VANOC is a

Linda Coady, VANOC's vice-president of

VANOC plans to offset emissions from officials,

To find out more and to add your signature to the

Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra Crawford

These athletes also participate in the David Suzuki

"Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,"

Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux is doing

The athletes are asking the public to endorse their

One of Mr. Furlong's stated goals is to stage a

Carbon neutrality is achieved by reducing emissions

When the Vancouver Olympic Committee asked the

Mr. Lamoureux, cross-country skiers Chandra

While VANOC has reduced its carbon footprint by

"Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,"

"Olympics are extremely hard on the environment,"

``We agree that offsets used to neutralize the carbon

Vancouver's sustainability budget, which includes the

Some of VANOC's environmental practices included

``They've done well making their venues energy

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - More than 70 of

"We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and

VANOC CEO John Furlong has publicly stated that

With just one year to go, time is running out for

"Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country

To download a media backgrounder on a carbon

To download the athletes' letter, or view a public

© 2009 CNW Group Ltd.

It plans to offset direct emissions created by Vanoc

However, the athletes and the David Suzuki

Vanoc has yet to complete a "carbon management

Some of Canada's best-known Olympic athletes are

It plans to offset direct emissions created by Vanoc

However, the athletes and the David Suzuki

Vanoc has yet to complete a "carbon management

WHISTLER - More than 70 of Canada's top Olympic

They will be sending a letter to John Furlong, CEO of

"We're encouraging VANOC to lead by example and

"Let's show the world that together we can put

VANOC has stated that it is working on a plan to go

"The good news is that the cost of meeting VANOC's

"And this is an excellent opportunity for an Olympic

Canadian Olympic cross-country skier Sara Renner is

"Throughout my 15-year career as a cross-country

"I am concerned about the future of the sports we

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