the activist declined our request for an interview. keeping with the eco-friendly narrative, state media broadcasted images of the uprooted trees being replanted elsewhere. >> all else has failed to pry to protect that area, whatever, then okay, you can save the trees. but it doesn't really do that much. >> reporter: adding to the loss of ecosystems, water worries. how do you turn an already dry climate, suffering from years of drought, into an olympic-worthy ski venue? cue the snowmaking machines. >> i think it's completely unsustainable. if there's none or too little snow, all of the snow has to be produced artificially. and that requires huge amounts of water. >> reporter: conservationists stress china is not the only offender. they fear the international olympic committee's constant rotation of olympic venues and host countries almost encourages rapid, unsustainable development and stretches natural resources,