Plants cool 3 million square feet of rooftops throughout the city. Wind, hydropower and biofuels provide one-fifth of its energy. And last year, the mayor announced one of the country’s most ambitious plans to slash greenhouse-gas emissions.
So when Chicago promises to host the greenest Summer Olympics ever if it’s awarded the 2016 games, organizers say it’s not a gimmick. It’s an extension of efforts that have been transforming this former Rust Belt city for years.
“We’ve got a real opportunity to take the best aspects of our city, the parks, the lakefront and the environmentalism and bring a real asset to the table,” Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky said. “It’s certainly one of the great strengths of the city of Chicago that we have to offer.”
In Chicago’s official Olympic bid book, released earlier this month, organizers tout a low-carbon “blue-green” event, with most venues along Lake Michigan, which is lined with parks, and a focus on environmentalism.
Organizers say vehicles provided by the games would run on low-carbon fuels or electricity and event sites would be powered by renewable energy. Storm water would be collected for reuse; the venues would use recyclable or reusable products. And sites would adhere to green building standards and coexist with natural habitat.
more at: usatoday.com
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