It would be hard to follow the news this week anywhere in the world and not be aware of the controversy and protests surrounding the Olympic Torch Relay.But in all of the reasons to take a position against holding this year’s summer games in China, one reason -one that I would have expected to be front-and-center -has not surfaced.More attention than ever is being paid this year to the environmental impact of the Olympic Games, and there are no small number of people ready to criticize China on its environmental record.But here’s an interesting tidbit (courtesy of Dave Demerjian at Wired Magazine):

The Olympic Torch Relay will add 5,500 tons of carbon emissions to the atmosphere by the time the torch itself completes the circuitous trip from Athens to Beijing.

Mr. Demerjian also noted that London, the host of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, has a plan to make the torch carbon-neutral, and several actions to help make the games greener.London’s approach is very much like the approach I’ve seen working for the WebEx customers I’ve worked with -take steps, one at a time, and you will find ways to get greener.It is nearly impossible to be perfect, but every step counts, and I urge you to take a step.According to the International Olympic Committee, the five rings of the Olympic symbol stand for the five populated continents, but the five colors of the rings are not necessarily associated with any one continent.Based on these plans, I’d suggest that London is claiming green for Europe.And I have to ask: What steps are you taking?