Gone Green

For those of you who hadn't already heard, there's a little concert across 7 continents going on today called Live Earth.

The concert is part of the SOS campaign to empower individuals to change their consumer behaviors and motivate corporations and political leaders to enact decisive measures to combat the climate crisis.

So how does this relate to cycling?

Discovery Channel Pro Cycling has "Gone Green." In the hopes of inspiring others in the peloton to follow suit, they are wearing green accented kits to reflect their efforts. (inset, Alberto Contador during the prologue. Photo: AFP)

From the Team Discovery Channel Green Space (requires registration):

“The good news is that by its very nature, cycling is green,” says Levi Leipheimer, Team Discovery Channel’s lead rider entering the 2007 Tour de France.

And while it’s true that the members of the Discovery Pro Cycling Team produce zero environmentally damaging emissions when they ride, it’s also true that a veritable armada of support vehicles is required to support the health and safety of each rider during every UCI Pro Tour event.

“These vehicles are essential for us to perform at top levels,” says Johan Bruyneel. “But, this year, we are taking responsibility for the true emissions footprint that comes with our participation in pro cycling, and that feels great.”

Through an innovative partnership with Green Mountain Energy (GME), Team Discovery is offsetting 100% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions created by the team’s support vehicles during the entire 2007 race season.

By purchasing carbon offsets generated by energy efficiency projects and tree planting initiatives from GME’s “Be Green” (begreennow.org), the team has offset about 62 metric tons of CO2 so far this year.