President Obama’s ‘Green’ Inauguration?

Depends on what “green”—that “it” word with the elastic definition—means. The event will no doubt leave a giant carbon footprint, since there will be lots of flying and driving to get the estimated four million people expected to attend the 44th president’s swearing-in to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. But if green means less wasteful, then those organizing the Inauguration of Barack Obama and veep Joe Biden are taking a few thoughtful and symbolic steps. For one, Obama will be the first president in history to take the oath of office on a carpet made out of recycled material. The Inauguration committee has also recruited 6,000 volunteers to gather recycling along the National Mall and parade route, is offering electronic versions of media guides (less printing), and even plans to gather the manure from the event’s horses for a nearby farm.

I expect there will also be some eco-schmoozing at the two green Inaugural balls, where the country’s top environmentalists are expected. Al Gore will headline an invitation-only affair the night before the Inauguration at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and Wyclef Jean hosts a ball at the Andrew W. Mellon auditorium the day of the big event. Expect solar-powered data centers, organic spreads, locally grown flower arrangements, lots of recycling and hopefully some interpretative dancing for the planet (with YouTube video provided for those of us not invited or stranded in some other part of the country/world).

A note to the green or green-wannabe glitterati: No embarrassing the rest of us (and the cause) by driving to the Obamathon in SUVs.

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