Barack Obama, 44^th president of the United States, will in a couple of hours’ time deliver an inaugural address already responsible for drawing what could be the largest crowd in Washington’s history. Yet this is an inauguration whose significance, as we well know, lies beyond the famed eloquence of its speaker. With one million to three million spectators estimated to appear for the swearing-in ceremony and prepared to endure freezing temperatures, long security checkpoints and congested public transportation at 4 a.m., the inauguration itself is of course the centerpiece of the ceremony, the moment of the transfer of power from old to new, formally solidifying the shift in ideology, execution and style. If I sound misty-eyed, I can’t help it.

Here in London, while the atmosphere is incomparable to the giddy jubilation of D.C., and no star-spangled banners flap in the wind (although this may change come nighttime), no newspaper worth its ink is without a front-page story on the inauguration, or at least a guide to the best spots to celebrate the swearing-in of America’s new commander-in-chief. Famous wax museum and London institution Madame Tussauds even inaugurated its own Barack Obama in advance. (Guess where I’ll be this afternoon? Yeah, I’m cool.)

Celebrations in D.C. began Sunday, with concerts from Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé and appearances from Jamie Foxx and Denzel Washington. Tonight, the party culminates in legions of inaugural balls, two of which have assumed the banner of greenness, offering organic food, carbon offsets and the like. And why shouldn’t they celebrate? While he by no means has eschewed traditional forms of energy, President Obama has assembled a Cabinet and administration of officials with a mixed (but generally supportive of renewable energy and concerned about climate change) bag of energy credentials—a more comprehensive survey is forthcoming. Margaret has an excellent post here about the implications of the Obama administration for solar and renewable energy by looking at President Obama’s promises through the history of solar legislation in America, while Adam takes a brisk and funny look at the Green Inaugural Ball. (And apparently, Al Gore is hosting his own green ball as well.)

Although it’s still morning in the States, here in Europe it’s already past noon. Here’s to a whirlwind four years ahead!