Really well:
Environmental balance
How about the ecological aspects of the Ski World Cup on the Rhine? The most important ecological aspect and main cause of an environmental impact at large events, is usually the traffic around the event. Over 90 % of the total energy consumption is caused by traffic. Düsseldorf comes off well: The event venue is well situated and is reached by all means of public transport (train, underground, bus and tram). The transport has high capacity and the traffic infrastructure is outstandingly developed in the state capital. Approximately half of the visitors in 2006 used public transport (train, ÖPNV). A value, which can be still increased. Also the traffic routes are comparatively short: Approximately 75% of the visitors attending the World Cup weekend, come from Düsseldorf and the surrounding region. Also sensitive natural areas are not afflicted in Düsseldorf.
Power requirement per visitor comparable to a concert or football game
The entire energy consumption for carrying out the FIS World Cup Cross Country in Düsseldorf is approximately 165,000 kilowatt-hours. The current consumption for the whole event lies in the usual range of large events. In relation to the number of visitors, the energy consumption per visitor corresponds for example to the current consumption per visitor at a large Rock concert in a (Football) stadium. Also the energy consumption per visitor with a soccer federal league play might be comparable. That might surprise, as snow in autumn in Düsseldorf is a genuine sensation. If you take a close look, it becomes clear that only a small amount of snow is needed for the 800 meters worldcup track.1500 cubic meters water are needed for the snow production. This is equivalent to the amount of water needed to fill a normal 50m- swimming pool. In Düsseldorf the snow does not need to be cooled - thanks to its fine structure and technical know-how. The energy consumption for cooling is therefore zero. Chemical or other additives are not used.
Also snow trucks drive environmentally friendly
For the snow transport, most modern trucks with environmentally friendly exhaust gas values, are used, and for the first time this year (2007) also fuelled by environmentally friendly fuel (bio Diesel). Also, the distance from Neuss to Düsseldorf is short: only 16 kilometres. Would it be perhaps be more environmentally friendly, if not the snow was taken to Düsseldorf, but if the spectators were transported (in a tour bus) from Düsseldorf to another World Cup venue, e.g. to Davos in Switzerland? If you calculated the energy consumption, it would show that only about 150 spectators could travel. The fuel consumption of all truckloads of snow for Düsseldorf would equal three tour bus rides from Düsseldorf to Davos and back.
Benefit for environment and the next generation
If you regard the event on the whole, many further positive economic, sporty, social and health aspects fall in the weight. Düsseldorf benefited from the large international media coverage and the thereby positively grown image of the state capital. The local and regional economy profits by FIS Worldcup Cross Country an for cross country sport the World Cup in Düsseldorf is an unique opportunity to advertise cross country as one of the healthiest kinds of sport in public. Ski club work in the youth section is boosted far over North-Rhine/Westphalia. Not to underestimate the further positive social aspects: the spectators´pleasure and satisfaction of an attractive leisure activity offered in the North-Rhine/Westphalia state capital and a “family-friendly” entrance free event. The visitors appreciate this: "From the visitors´ point of view FIS World Cup Cross Country is positively judged - 88 % of the visitors interviewed, evaluate the ski event with "good" or "excellent" and 77% want to come again next year", according to the authors of Düsseldorf school of economics. Everyone can help to improve the environmental balance, i.e. 90 % of the energy is generated by traffic: So use public transport for your way to FIS Worldcup Cross Coutry.
