NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer is on another of his ratings-hungry “Where in the World” trips, but after three days and some 21,000 miles, the green-obsessed show curiously hasn’t mentioned the gimmick’s carbon footprint.

Broadcasting from Laos – which borders Vietnam – Wednesday, Lauer said he’d already flown about 21,000 miles. And there are two more days left in the journey. Even a return trip directly to New York City would put this year’s trek over the 26,250-mile average for previous “Where in the World” segments.

As The Biz Flog reported, Lauer was on track to emit 5.85 tons of carbon, based on the average length of his trips. The average American is responsible for about 7.5 tons of carbon emissions in an entire year, according to former Vice President Al Gore’s Web site.

And Lauer’s emissions don’t include crew members traveling with him or advance teams sent to each destination to research and develop pre-taped segments on the cities he visits.

Yet “Today,” which in January spent four days “going green” and has long preached environmentalism, hasn’t mentioned Lauer’s carbon emissions. In the weeks leading up to the special feature, and in the three days Lauer has been on the road, the show hasn’t suggested it is doing anything to address its carbon footprint.

But viewers are curious. The show’s online message board for the segment teems with questions about its environmental impact.

“I am appalled that you are globe trotting while most of the US is stuck at home watching TV,” commenter memphisbelladonna wrote. “I haven’t left the house in 9 days because of the price of gas. I wonder what that private jet and fuel cost every time it is started. All of NBC should be ashamed of their non green, elitist life styles.” [Sic]

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