The 2026 Winter Olympics, set to take place in Milano Cortina, Italy, are projected to exacerbate the already precarious snow situation in the region. A recent report by the New Weather Institute has revealed that the Games' three main sponsors - Eni, Stellantis, and ITA Airways - could potentially offset any carbon reductions made by the event itself, leading to a catastrophic loss of 5.5 square kilometers of snowpack and approximately 34 million metric tons of glacial ice.
In stark contrast, removing these high-emissions sponsors from the sponsorship deals would have significantly reduced emissions, with the total emissions being 22 percent lower than those experienced during the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018.
Critics argue that promoting big polluters at events like the Olympics perpetuates the problem and can lead to increased carbon-intensive sales. However, organizers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games are taking steps towards sustainability by reusing existing infrastructure, building only two new permanent venues compared to six during PyeongChang and 14 in Sochi.
Experts stress that the environmental impact of such events should not be ignored, as they contribute to the already alarming decline in snow cover and glacier melting due to climate change. The situation is dire, with Italy alone having lost over 265 ski resorts in the past five years. By 2050s, only 52 locations worldwide will be considered "climate-reliable" for hosting Winter Olympics.
In response to these findings, some critics have questioned whether high-profile events like the Olympics are truly making a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions.
In stark contrast, removing these high-emissions sponsors from the sponsorship deals would have significantly reduced emissions, with the total emissions being 22 percent lower than those experienced during the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018.
Critics argue that promoting big polluters at events like the Olympics perpetuates the problem and can lead to increased carbon-intensive sales. However, organizers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games are taking steps towards sustainability by reusing existing infrastructure, building only two new permanent venues compared to six during PyeongChang and 14 in Sochi.
Experts stress that the environmental impact of such events should not be ignored, as they contribute to the already alarming decline in snow cover and glacier melting due to climate change. The situation is dire, with Italy alone having lost over 265 ski resorts in the past five years. By 2050s, only 52 locations worldwide will be considered "climate-reliable" for hosting Winter Olympics.
In response to these findings, some critics have questioned whether high-profile events like the Olympics are truly making a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions.
. Like, I get that sponsors gotta pay for all that Olympic jazz, but come on, can't they do better? I mean, those big polluters are basically offsetting any good that the Games could've done for the environment... it's just not right 
. And what really gets me is how some people say these events aren't even making a difference in reducing emissions. Like, we know climate change is real and we need to act on it, but I guess some folks are still skeptical 
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. I mean, come on, 5.5 square kilometers of snowpack and 34 million metric tons of glacial ice? That's huge! And just to offset those emissions by removing sponsors? It's like trying to put out a fire with a damp sponge 
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5.5 square kilometers gone?! thats like, a whole city or something! 34 million metric tons of ice melting? how can we even begin to recover from this?!
2 vs 6 or 14... it makes a difference?! and what about the carbon footprint of constructing new ones?! like, hello, every little bit counts, right?! 
and we're still debating whether the Olympics can make a difference... Italy's losing ski resorts left & right and now it's even asking to borrow snow from other countries? 
I'm really worried about the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games and their potential impact on snowpack and glaciers 
The fact that just removing three sponsors could offset all the good they're doing is crazy 
And don't even get me started on the number of new venues being built... it's like, what's the point if we're just gonna keep destroying our planet? 
And it's not just the snow, it's the glaciers too, dude. 34 million metric tons of ice melting? That's like, a massive carbon footprint right there.
and it's not like they're taking the right steps either... reusing existing infrastructure is cool and all, but it's just not enough to make up for the harm being done. we need real change, not just some PR stunt! 
#OlympicSustainabilityFail I'm literally shaking thinking about those 5.5 square kilometers of snowpack being lost... we need to rethink our priorities, fam! 
#ClimateActionNow