聯合國4日宣佈，為了表示對奧運環保概念的支持，聯合國環境規劃署(UNEP)執行長史坦納(Achim Steiner)將出席8日北京奧運的開幕儀式。
過去3年來，UNEP與北京奧委會共同合作，希望打造一個環境友善的奧運。
北京也開始實行更為嚴格的車輛廢氣排放標準，並禁止使用任何破壞臭氧層的物質。
3條新的地鐵線也擴大了北京的大眾運輸網絡，並且引進了3800輛壓縮天然氣公車，成為全球城市中最龐大的天然氣車隊。
UNEP表示，奧運場地本身也具備許多環保特色，例如20%的能源來自於乾淨的風力，太陽能也是選手村裡重要的特點，鳥巢體育館則擁有先進的雨水回收系統。
在2008年下半年，UNEP將會進行後奧運時期環境報告，針對2008年北京奧運及殘障奧運所採行的環保措施，進行成效及問題評估。
在此同時，美國漁業暨野生動物局也提醒前往中國參觀奧運的美國民眾，根據國際條約和美國野生動物保護法的規定，部分野生動物種類是禁止購買並帶回美國國內的。
在國內法及華盛頓公約架構下，美國、中國及其他多數國家都設立了保護當地動植物的措施；超過160個國家簽署的華盛頓公約，在保護瀕危物種的同時，也支持國際間野生動植物的永續貿易活動。
回到美國的遊客必須在填寫海關申報表格時，表明是否從國外購買任何野生物或相關產品，而針對華盛頓公約下所保護的特別物種、活的動物或是進口任一類產品總量超出8個，都需要另外提出申請。
The head of the United Nations Environment Programme, Achim Steiner, will attend the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics on August 8 as part of the agency's continuing support for the greening of the games, the UN announced today.
UNEP has been working with the Beijing Olympic Committee for the last three years with the aim of making the games environmentally friendly.
The city has introduced tougher standards for vehicle emissions and phased out ozone-depleting substances.
Beijing's public transport network has been expanded with three new subway lines and Beijing has introduced 3,800 compressed natural gas buses - one of the largest fleets in any city in the world.
UNEP says the Olympic venues themselves also have many green features. Twenty percent of their energy comes from clean wind sources; solar power features prominently in the Olympic Village; and the Bird's Nest stadium has an advanced rainwater recycling system.
In the second half of 2008, UNEP will produce a post-games environmental report to assess the successes and challenges of the environmental measures taken by Beijing for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reminding U.S. citizens traveling to China for the Olympics that international treaties and U.S. wildlife laws limit the types of items they can buy and bring home.
The United States, China, and most other countries protect their native animals and plants under national laws and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES. Signed by more than 160 nations, this treaty supports sustainable trade in wildlife and plants while safeguarding endangered species.
Travelers returning to the United States must indicate on their Customs declaration form whether they are bringing back any wildlife or wildlife products acquired abroad. Additional requirements apply if the species is protected under CITES or is a live animal or if they are importing eight or more of any item.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
