Will the environmental, pollution and green building advances spurred on by the Beijing Olympics have a lasting effect in China?

To be sure, there were many issues around the politics, internet and media prohibitions and human rights aspects of the Beijing games,  That’s an issue unto itself.

But, we also saw a race towards greener buildings that use resources wisely and more cleanly.  There was a shift from coal use to electricity.

We saw an effort to reduce smog and pollution in the air, however late the effort came.  We saw that air pollution can’t be solved in just a week or a month.  We saw the health concerns brought forward vividly by athletes who refused to come and athletes who came with breathing masks.

We saw the introduction of organic produce and what was said to be hormone and antibiotic free organic meats, even if it came after countries wanted to bring their own food to avoid toxins and positive banned hormone tests.  And even if it came from a select number of purveyors, seemingly organized just for the Olympics.

We saw a spotlight on the health effects of pollution on the Chinese people.  Just as we saw a glimpse of Chinese graciousness…despite how choreographed it might have been.

Have things really changed, or was it all a show?

Change…

That slow, lumbering, reluctant beast.

That can sometimes morph into an excited adolescent, eager to take on the world…

What do you think?

Has China really begun the journey towards being a greener, less polluted, healthier place?  Or not?

Will the changes spurred on by the Olympics become a long lasting legacy for China and the world?  Or not?

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