Green Inaugural Ball: ‘Yes We Can’ Be the New Green Economy

Almost 2,000 guests filled the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joseph Biden and America's green economy at the 2009 Green Inaugural Ball.

Former Vice President Al Gore served as the event's Honorary Chair and was joined by more than 75 conservation, labor, civil justice, youth, and business groups who are promoting clean and efficient energy, bringing the technologies to market, protecting America's natural heritage and creating the green jobs that will be at the heart of America's economic recovery.

The sold out event was Executive Produced by Kevin Wall and Live Earth and featured musical performances by artists will.i.am., Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, John Legend and Michael Franti. VIP guests included Blair Underwood, Lisa Ling, Paul Reiser, John Cusack, Bon Jovi, Paulina Rubio, as well as political heavyweights including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Robert Kennedy, Jr.

“This event celebrated the Big Green Tent—an ever expanding group of concerned citizens who know that restoring America's economic health is linked to restoring the health of our natural resources and reducing the impacts of global warming. Tonight we celebrated together the leadership of this network and the excitement we have to work with the new Administration and Congress to advance the green economy,” said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of National Wildlife Federation.

The food at the Green Ball was local or organic and cooked in a kitchen nearby to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. The scraps will be composted. The event’s carbon footprint will be canceled out by investment in renewable energy projects, the Associated Press reports.

Published: January 21, 2009