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Paris Olympics opening ceremony faces deluge

Paris Olympics opening ceremony faces deluge

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Olympics deluge

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris face significant challenges due to the climate crisis. During the opening ceremony, a month’s worth of rain overwhelmed the city’s 200-year-old sewer system, causing untreated sewage to be discharged and delaying the triathlon event.

The heavy rain was quickly replaced by stifling heat. This highlights the extreme weather conditions becoming more common due to climate change. Scientists say that warmer air holds more moisture, making storms more intense.

Earth has warmed about 1.5°C since the industrial burning of fossil fuels began. This has added 10% more water vapor to the lower atmosphere.

“It is now hard to imagine any sport in the world that isn’t facing the prospect of making serious concessions to extreme weather, either now or in the future,” says Mark Charlton, a lecturer at De Montfort University.

Marathon events are now run at midnight, cycle races have been shortened, and ski seasons are getting shorter. The modern Olympic Games also contribute to the climate crisis by emitting many greenhouse gases. London 2012 and Rio 2016 emitted more than 3 million tonnes of CO₂.

Tokyo 2020 managed just under 2 million tonnes due to the pandemic preventing spectators from flying in.

Climate crisis impacts Olympic events

The organizers of Paris 2024 aim for 1.6 million tonnes.

This equals 100 to 125 kg of CO₂ per person, spread across 13 to 16 million anticipated visitors. Anne de Bortoli, a researcher at École des Ponts ParisTech, says limiting construction has been a critical strategy for Paris 2024. 95% of the 26 competition venues either already existed or are temporary.

New buildings are designed to emit less CO₂ than standard buildings. The aquatics center features wooden frames, rooftop solar panels, and seating made from recycled materials. To lower energy use and emissions, organizers have decided not to use air conditioners.

However, this has led athletes from wealthier nations to reserve their own units. Authorities will also open a new motorway to handle increased road traffic. Anne de Bortoli criticizes this move, saying such infrastructure could have been avoided if the Games were smaller and held in multiple cities.

Major changes will be needed if the Olympics are to continue. Brian P. McCullough, a professor at the University of Michigan, offers a hopeful vision.

He says the Olympic Games can be an example of what significant sporting events can do to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainability solutions to a global audience.

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