Rio de Janeiro to Host All-Green Olympic Summer Games in 2016
Rio de Janeiro was selected today to host the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in 2016. Brazil promises an "all-green Olympics" and has already started with serious steps toward that goal.
October 02, 2009
Brazilians have planted more than 3,000 trees in Rio de Janeiro to offset carbon dioxide emissions as the city goes green in preparation for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The announcement today of Rio de Janeiro as the host city marks the first time a South American country will host the Games. Rio beat Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo in the bid.
Rio launched a "Carbon Zero 2016" campaign in September 2009. Saplings planted in Rio's Pedra Branca park aim to fully offset the carbon footprint of the city's Olympic bid team -- 716 tons of carbon from their travel, energy consumption, paper usage and meals.
It was recently reported that 105,000 trees have been planted across the state of Rio de Janeiro. Brazil has committed to planting a total of three million trees between now and the start of the games.
"We will bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Rio and have an all-green competition," Brazil's Environment Minister Carlos Minc told AFP.
Comments
This is an obvious decision...who would choose Chicago over Rio De Janero??
Posted by: Constant Gina | October 3, 2009 02:21 PM