The Obama Inauguration's Carbon Footprint

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As I read these comments I am struck by the low level of literacy appearing here. Maybe it would have been better if 'no child left behind' had become a reality a couple of decades ago. An educated electorate would sure be a nice change but that would have changed the outcome of the election.

Scott Adie of NV 4:12PM January 19, 2009

The research forgot to calculate the methane to be emitted by the horses and the attendees of the event. How about the methane of the Hollywood stars? How about the methane of the cows before they were made into the leather sneakers the people are wearing? Or the methane of the cows producing the milk and infant formulas the children are drinking? If the child didn't need that milk, that cow would likely not have existed.

OMG of IL 10:29PM January 18, 2009

how long before the U.N. determines there are too many people in the world exhaling CO2 and trying to keep warm and policy is made to reduce the number of people in the world? Many ruthless dictators have tried this...
If Obama truly believes in the detrimental effects of global warming, he should realize the cost and tell everyone to stay home and conserve, conserve, conserve energy. Where is the humility? Obama will be in legal trouble before too long. He is too close to the Blagojevich mess to be clean and he is in deep with Tony Rezko and Resko is talking from his jail cell. There is a lot of pay for play here in Illinois and Obama is immersed in it.
I hope Barack Obama does not vote present while he is president...

OMG in IL of IL 10:13PM January 18, 2009

I believe you should walk the walk. Obama is missing a teachable moment. He has the attention of millions and with a little effort he could lead by example and making an effort to keep the carbon footprint as little as possible. Do the rich really have to fly there on private planes? Maybe we should have bailout of the carbon footprint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

d of MA 9:51PM January 18, 2009

IF NOT OBAMA ? THE CO2 MUST ALSO BE CONSUMED !!! THINK wisely !!!!!

Udoba J O 3:03PM January 18, 2009

The media myth about the cost of Obama's inauguration
by Eric Boehlert
Media Matters for America
Sat, Jan 17, 2009 10:40am ET
Read the entire article here:
http://mediamatters.org/columns/200901170003?f=h_column
...the Obama figure of $160 million that got repeated in the press INCLUDED security costs associated with the massive event. But the Bush tab of $42 million LEFT OUT those enormous costs.
The federal government spent $115 million dollars for the 2005 inauguration. Keep in mind, that $115 million price tag was SEPARATE from the money Bush backers bundled to put on the inauguration festivities. For that, they raised $42 million. So the bottom line for Bush's 2005 inauguration, including the cost of security? That's right, $157 million.

Ben of MD 11:59AM January 18, 2009

To my previous comment, please don't mistaken the, "(whom many people don't like)", for ME not liking him. I support Obama :)

DV of HI 12:55AM January 18, 2009

Even if this inauguration DID NOT take place jet's would still be flying, personal vehicles would still be running (all over the world), and the horses would still be giving off Co2. It's not like you could stop the horses from creating the gas, they're LIVING beings. And for that last comment, PEOPLE GO TO MALLS IN GENERAL!
We should ALL take the blame for emitting so much CO2, not just one man (whom many people don't like).

DV of HI 12:49AM January 18, 2009

Back in 2005, pundits criticized President Bush for spending one quarter as much on his inauguration because we were involved in a war. They pilloried poor Jena Bush for daring to have a wedding during an economic down time. Yet, even after the meltdown of Wall Street, it's blinders on for the media and supporters who seem to think that as long as it's the "right" person in their eyes, all sins are absolved. If McCain had won and spent this much, Dicaprio and his ilk would be protesting in the streets. This is just a few steps removed from a triumphal arch and apotheosis. But why should we be surprised when that was the theme the DNC began with at their convention.

Ellen K of TX 12:24AM January 18, 2009

Just so you don't get too excited by these numbers. CO2 is present in the atmosphere at about 380 parts per million. Meaning the total atmospheric CO2 is 6.6 times 10^15 pounds. If you go with the 500 million pounds of CO2 produced by the inauguration it will increase the CO2 in the atmosphere by 0.0000366% If it stays in the DC area look for a nice green spring as the trees convert all that CO2 to oxygen!

Stiennon of MI 5:49PM January 17, 2009