The Olympics seem to be a pretty sustainable event, having starting in 776 BC and still managing to captivate audiences today. Nonetheless, Vancouver will try to set the tone for more sustainable games. Olympic Organizing Committee officials say the city will use primarily LEED-certified buildings and encourage eco-friendly behaviors throughout the event.

Vancouver will go for the gold of green efforts by providing visitors and competitors an environmentally efficient experience - from the use of energy-saving light bulbs in sports arenas to hydrogen-fueled buses that will transport people among the venues.

John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, told ABC they hope to reduce the negative environmental and economic impact of the Games through "lasting benefits, locally and globally." He hopes that the efforts made in Vancouver will establish a blueprint for future hosting cities to practice eco-efficiency at the games.

The Olympic Committee will track energy consumption with technology from Pulse. Pulse officials told the source their software can keep track of where energy is wasted and, on average, saves users 25 percent of their energy costs ranging from light bulbs to heating systems.

Tree huggers of the world can follow the Games' energy consumption in real time on screens located throughout Vancouver.

Olympics aside, many cities have taken approaches like those of Vancouver to try to be more eco-friendly and cut energy costs. Officials in London have overseen the conversion of Tower 42 to being the world's first LED-lit building and major U.S. cities are increasingly advocating that commercial buildings strive for LEED certification.