Burning Man Gets Help Offsetting His Carbon Footprint

"Feel the Burn!" That's a catch phrase that some "burners" use after attending this mega yearly event (www.burningman.com) which culminates with the burning of a 40 foot high "man" made of wood. Of course, this year there were two "burnings" of "da man" in the desert, since someone couldn't wait and set fire to the structure 4 days early. Burning Man made the news this year from this "prank" that resulted in the premature immolation of the structure that is used as a reference point throughout the week for the 40,000 "burners" that immigrate yearly to this normally desolate spot in the Nevada desert (Black Rock City).

Burning Man has been described as both an "escape from reality" and an "escape to reality." However, the reality that was highlighted this year was its "carbon footprint." Each year the Burning Man event has an artistic theme, and this year the theme was "The Green Man." Of course, "green" these days means being environmentally responsible, especially in new structures being built, just reference the U.S. Green Building Council. The Burning Man website talks about it's "footprint." This year's website states:

"In 2007, we will calculate the amount of climate changing gases that are released into the air by the construction and the burning of the Man and its pedestal. This is called a carbon footprint. Then we'll sponsor projects in the outside world that will efface this imprint. Such actions might include the planting of trees or the development of non-polluting energy resources. Having played with fire, we'll take care to cleanse its atmospheric playground."