Beijing Prepares for Upcoming Olympics By Shutting Down

Here's something I never thought would be typical of an Olympic year. Beijing, this year's host to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games is acting outside the box and instigating a city-wide shutdown three weeks prior to the opening events.

That's right. As of Sunday, very little has been going on in the city and five surrounding provinces. Cars are off the roads, factory production has come to a halt, and even power plants are expected to cut emissions by 30% until the Games are over, or else.

Beijing's pollution problem isn't just about appearances (though that seems to be an important factor). Officials are concerned that endurance athletes could be hindered by the overwhelming contamination.

That's not to say that the Games won't go on; it just means some Games might be put on hold. That is, if this three-week break from unnecessary emissions doesn't do the trick.

The idea of ceasing progress to cut pollution is bold, indeed. A little regressive, but bold nonetheless. Because really, encouraging eco-friendly living a few years ago when the country got the bid would have been far too much work, right?

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^{Photograph © China Photographer / Getty Images}