Carper's Corner
2008 Summer Olympics Feature American Athletes and Ongoing Clean Air Concerns
August 18, 2008Wilmington, DE – As just about everyone in America knows, the 2008 Summer Olympic Games are well underway in Beijing, China, and with lots of medals already won by our American athletes.
And like many of you, my family and I enjoy watching the summer competition. As a runner, myself, I get a special “kick” out of the track and field events, but to tell you the truth, the incredible athletic skills on display there are a wonder to behold in a wide range of sports like synchronized diving, gymnastics and many more.
But since Beijing was first awarded the Games in July 2001, athletes, organizers and Olympic officials have raised concerns about the air quality in China. At that time, the Chinese government approved a $12 billion plan to improve air and water quality by closing polluting factories, or moving companies to the edge of the city where they would burn natural gas instead of coal.
China’s economy has grown tenfold since 1978. Today, it is the world’s fastest growing auto market, and the world’s second leading oil consumer behind the United States. In 2008, China surpassed the United States as the largest global emitter of greenhouse gases. In fact, 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China. That’s a Top Twenty list that none of us in America ever want to be on and, fortunately, we’re not.
I haven’t listed any of these statistics to beat up on China. No, quite the contrary. The point is that as more and more nations develop and industrialize, they continue to add to our global environmental crisis and, according to some scientists, soon it may be too late to start combating the deadly effects on future generations.
The situation in China, specifically highlighted in Beijing this August, is an extreme and concrete example of the serious consequences of polluted air. Rather than just talking about melting ice caps and growing endangered species, or quoting more frightening statistics from an environmental group, athletes at the Beijing Games have experienced first-hand the affects of air pollution, including allergic reactions, coughing, congestion and respiratory sickness.
The United States can and must become a global leader in clear air innovation. We can show the rest of the world that cleaning up the air is not just good for our health, but good for job creation and for a strong economy. We can and must lead by example.
Legislation like my Clean Air Planning Act (CAPA), which enjoys strong bipartisan support in the Senate, would encourage the development of clean technology, as well as support the use of carbon-free fuels. The growing interest and support for our clean air bill in just the last month alone show that others both in Congress and outside of it recognize the time has come to begin to reduce harmful emissions into our air and to end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
But for the remainder of these exciting summer Olympic Games, it is most important that we join our fellow Americans in enjoying this astounding range of athletic events and supporting all the incredible athletes performing in Beijing this month. Go Team USA!