Where you watch and celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama might not as be important as how you watch it. The historic swearing-in of Obama on January 20th will be welcomed with celebrations worldwide, marking the beginning of a new era in which the U.S. can focus on the use clean energy and green technology to change the country, save the economy, and solve the climate crisis.

But you don't need to be at the Green Inaugural Ball, or even in Washington, D.C. to make your Inauguration experience a green one. Here are some tips from Live Earth's Green Event Guidelines:

• Invite friends and family over and ask them to carpool. Instead of everyone watching the Inauguration alone, everyone can get together and crowd over one television/ radio (saving energy) and discuss the progression of the night.
• Reusable service ware should be implemented wherever possible, and biodegradable products are a good alternative if your waste reduction plan includes composting. Additionally, these materials can be added to food waste and turned into valuable compost.
• When you can, try to replace individual sized packets with bulk containers. For example, you can do buffet style techniques rather than individual servings at the party.
• Instead of using paper and plastic decorations to celebrate this amazing evening, use foliage and other things from nature and use materials you had left over from election night.

For more ideas check out our Green Events Guidelines and don’t forget to register your viewing party as a Friends of Live Earth event!