If the air pollution woes were not enough, Qingdao continues to be anchored down with an algae bloom. The Qingdao Sailing Committee spokesman intends to have the algae cleaned out by July 10 or by the government-imposed deadline of July 15 at the latest.

Yet another problem: A retired entomologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing attributes the plague of locusts in the northern provinces to overgrazing and the deteriorating environment of the grasslands.

Finally, in a seemingly counterintuitive move, the Beijing city government is pushing out about half of the city's rubbish collectors and recyclers by the August 8 opening ceremonies.

Sochi Olympics 2014: Defending the somewhat controversial preparations for for the Sochi games, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told the International Olympic Committee in June that "the environment" was a higher priority than fiscal concerns. At Putin's request, some developers have already moved Olympic installations, such as the bobsled run that cut too close to a UNESCO-protected nature reserve.

Football: The NFL plants trees in Arizona and attempts to be a role model in "going green."

Golf: NPR's Frank Deford sprinkles insight on golf course water usage and the Old Collier Club in Naples, Fla., will water its grass with salt water.

Soccer: The township of Wayne, N.J., is changing the paint it uses to line its soccer fields in order to reduce exposure to lead.

Artificial turf: The CDC says it is still controversial.