Jul 7, 2007

LiveEarth - performing for the planet

Right at this moment is occurring, what is being said to be, the biggest entertainment event ever held on the planet. It had to be this big because it's about the planet. Started by SOS (Save our selves), the messaging campaign and larger movement, Live Earth is a series of concerts all over the earth to be held today 7.7.07, over 24 hours following the dateline that traverses the earth. There are performances on all continents, starting with Sydney - Australia, then going on to Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Hamburg, Germany; London, UK; Johannesburg, South Africa; New York, USA; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; and some others.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore (The Inconvenient Truth) and Kevin Wall, founders of the SOS movement are behind this event. They have roped in some of the most famous names in World Music into this event, some including Madonna (see video below) composing exclusive songs for the concert.

Hey you - by Madonnna (official Live Earth Video)


A major aim of this concert, which Al Gore admitted is aiming very high, is to have 2 billion people worldwide sign on to the 7 point pledge helping the movement. The pledge reads:

I PLEDGE:
  • To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next 2 years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;

  • To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become “carbon neutral;”

  • To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2;

  • To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;

  • To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;

  • To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,

  • To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.



There's more in the Larry King Live interview of Al Gore available below



Note: the above video may become unavailable, then you can find it here.

Walking the talk
A lot of people including the LiveAid concert founder Bob Geldof have criticised the concerts. There is a concern that the event itself is a sort of contributor to global warming considering all the energy used. The organisers though, are doing their best to 'walk the talk'. One of the initiatives has been to offer public transport vouchers with the concert tickets to all audience so they leave their cars at home.

Another very interesting thing I noted was that the official website www.liveearth.org is 'Green Hosted'. It's hosted by AISO.net which "is the only 100% solar powered data center in the world".

Still, I can't help being reminded of some lyrics, that one of my favorite singers, Sting (who, incidentally is also performing in this concert with his former band, Police), wrote in his album Soul Cages:

"A government saved a dying planet / when popular icons failed"

Links

Official Website - www.liveearth.org (Green Hosted!)
Online coverage - liveearth.msn.com

4 comments:

Aditya Prateek Anand said...

It's 12:34am in Wellington 8-July-07. There are LiveEarth simultaneous concerts taking place in Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hamburg, and London is just getting started. Whew!
Check it out on http://liveearth.msn.com
If you are in New Zealand, tune into C4 channel.

monty said...

one of the best events at them moment, I have been watching it a bit, Green day is one of my fav. i did not get to see U2 which is one of my fav band. I was sad not to know they are not coming to wellington. I mean how could they miss out Wellington.

Aditya Prateek Anand said...

The mega-concert has wound down, and here are the list of performers:


AUSTRALIA - Blue King Brown (Reggae), Crowded House (Rock), Eskimo Joe (Rock), Ghostwriters (Rock), Jack Johnson (Pop), John Butler Trio (Rock), Missy Higgins (Rock), Paul Kelly (Rock), Sneaky Sound System (Electronic), Toni Collette & The Finish (Rock), Wolfmother (Rock)

JAPAN - AI (Rock), Abingdon Boys School (Rock), Ai Otsuka (Rock), Ayaka (Rock), Bonnie Pink (Rock), Cocco (Rock), Genki Rockets (Rock), Kumi Koda (Rock), Linkin Park (Rock), Michael Nyman (Rock), Rihanna (R&B/Soul), Rip Slyme (Rock), Rize (Rock), UA (Rock), Xzibit (Rock), Yellow Magic Orchestra (Rock)

CHINA - 12 Girls Band (Rock), Anthony Wong (Rock), Eason Chan (Rock), Evonne Hsu (Rock), Huang Xiao Ming (Rock), Joey (Rock), Pu Ba Jia (Rock), Sarah Brightman (Rock), Soler (Rock), Wang Chuan Jun (Rock), Wang Rui (Rock), Wang Xia Okun (Rock), Winnie Hsin (Rock)

GERMANY - Chris Cornell (Rock), Enrique Iglesias (Rock), Jan Delay (Rock), Juli (Rock), Katie Melua (Rock), Lotto King Karl (Rock), Mando Diao (Rock), Maria Mena (Rock), Marquess (Rock), Mia. (Rock), Reamonn (Rock), Revolverheld (Rock), Roger Cicero (Rock), Samy Deluxe (Rock), Sasha (Rock), Shakira (Rock), Silbermond (Rock), Snoop Dogg (Rock), Stefan Gwildis (Rock), Yusuf(Rock)

UNITED KINGDON - Beastie Boys (Hip-hop/Rap), Black Eyed Peas (Hip-hop/Rap), Bloc Party (Rock), corinne Bailey Rae (Pop), Damien Rice (Rock), David Gray (Rock), Duran Duran (Rock), Foo Fighters (Rock), Genesis (Rock), James Blunt (Pop), John Legend (R&B/Soul), Kasabian (Rock), Keane (Rock), Madonna (Pop), Metallica (Rock), Paolo Nutini (Rock), Pussycat Dolls (Rock), Razorlight (Rock), Red Hot Chili Peppers (Rock), Snow Patrol (Rock), Spinal Tap (Rock), Terra Naomi (Rock)

SOUTH AFRICA - Angélique Kidjo (Rock), Baaba Maal (Rock), Danny K (Rock), Joss Stone (Rock), The Parlotones (Rock), The Soweto Gospel Choir (Rock), UB40 (Rock), Vusi Mahlasela (Rock), Zola (Rock)

UNITED STATES - AFI (Rock), Akon (R&B/Soul), Alicia Keys (R & B/Soul), Bon Jovi (Rock), Dave Matthews Band (Rock), Fall Out Boy (Rock), John Mayer (Pop), KT Tunstall (Rock), Kanye West (Hip-hop/Rap), Keith Urban (Rock), Kelly Clarkson (Pop), Kenna (Rock), Ludacris (Hip-hop/Rap), Melissa Etheridge (Rock), Roger Waters (Rock), Smashing Pumpkins (Rock), Taking Back Sunday (Rock), The Police (Rock)

BRAZIL - Jorge Ben Jor (Rock), Jota Quest (Rock), Lenny Kravitz (Rock), MV Bill (Rock), Macy Gray (Rock), Marcelo D2 (Rock), O Rappa (Rock), Pharrell (Rock), Xuxa (Rock)

The UK had the most entertaining mix of performers. Madonna, rightfully, was a favorite. Many music groups assembled and gave public concerts after a long gap - such as Duran Duran, Genesis, The Police, Metallica, Jon Bon Jovi and so on. A lot of groups, especially in Japan, made a very compelling appearance at the world stage, and may garner a greater following. Countless celebrities at each venue turned up and introduced the music groups. I saw Al Gore, Alec Baldwin, Cameron Diaz, Kevin Bacon among others. This shall probably be the landmark music concert for a generation.

Cam Sutton said...

Thanks for postinng this