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Live Earth
The Live Earth logo representing the "S.O.S." message.
GenrePop, Rock music
DatesJuly 7, 2007
Location(s)Aussie Stadium, Coca Cola Dome, Giants Stadium, Copacabana Beach, Rothera Research Station, Makuhari Messe, Tō-ji, Oriental Pearl Tower, Wembley Stadium, HSH Nordbank Arena, National Mall
Years active2007
FoundersAl Gore, Kevin Wall
Websitewww.liveearth.org

Live Earth was a series of worldwide concerts held on July 7, 2007 (07/07/07) intended to raise awareness about anthropogenic climate change and encourage people to live more environmentally friendly lifestyles. The concerts brought together more than 150 of some of the world's most popular music acts and drew an estimated worldwide audience of 2 billion people, making it one of the largest global events in history.[1]

The umbrella organization for the event was Save Our Selves, founded by Kevin Wall, and included major partners such as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, the Alliance for Climate Protection, MSN and Control Room, the concert production company which produced the event. The logo for the event was SOS written in Morse Code.

Live Earth charged admission, but the event was made broadly available via television and the internet. The event set a new record for online entertainment by generating more than 9 million streams.[2]

Background

Live Earth-initiator Al Gore giving a global warming talk on April 7, 2006

The plans for the Live Earth concerts were announced at a media event in Los Angeles on February 15,[3] 2007 by Al Gore and other activist celebrities. The inspiration for promoting the cause using the vehicle of benefit concerts comes from many similar events over the past 25 years including the 1985 Live Aid concerts and the 2005 Live 8 concerts and it will be the longest show ever to be recorded in the world records. The event is claimed to be carbon neutral, and organizers will purchase carbon credits to offset the environmental impact of the flights associated with the events.[4]

In addition to raising awareness of global warming,[5] on June 28, 2007, it was revealed that Live Earth is to be the launch event for the Live Earth Call to Action.[6] During the concerts people were asked to support the following 7-point pledge:[6]

  1. 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;
  2. 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;'
  3. 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;
  4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;
  5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
  6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,
  7. 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.

In subsequent interviews Al Gore indicated that the concerts would mark 'the beginning of a three-year campaign worldwide to deliver information about how we solve the climate crisis'[7][8] and that 'the prospects for every future generation depend on us understanding, hearing and acting upon this information.'[7][9]

Further information on the issues raised by the concerts are published in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook, written by environmentalist David Mayer de Rothschild.[10][11] Profits from the book will be donated to the Alliance for Climate Protection, as will some of the profits from the concerts.[12]

Locations

Countries and cities participating in Live Earth.

The organizers intended to present concerts on all seven continents. They stated that the venues would utilize on-site power generation, efficient methods of energy utilization and sustainable facilities management in an effort to minimize environmental impact.

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Australia

Europe

Antarctica

Schedule

Concerts listed in order by time UTC.[14]

Location (Venue) Local start time UTC start time
Sydney, Australia (Aussie Stadium) 11:10 7/7 01:10 7/7
Chiba, Japan (Makuhari Messe) 12:00 7/7 04:00 7/7
Shanghai, China (Oriental Pearl Tower) 19:00 7/7 11:00 7/7
Hamburg, Germany (HSH Nordbank Arena) 14:00 7/7 12:00 7/7
London, England (Wembley Stadium) 13:30 7/7 12:30 7/7
Kyoto, Japan (To-Ji Temple) 23:00 7/7 14:00 7/7
Washington, D.C. (National Mall) 10:30 7/7 14:30 7/7
Johannesburg, South Africa (Coca Cola Dome) 18:00 7/7 16:00 7/7
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Copacabana Beach) 16:00 7/7 19:00 7/7
East Rutherford, New Jersey (Giants Stadium) 14:30 7/7 19:30 7/7
Rothera Research Station, Antarctica Tape delay Tape delay

Performers

Inspiration for the style of concerts

File:LiveEarhWembleyStadium.JPG
The concert stage at Wembley Stadium.

The concert series drew inspiration from many benefit events staged in the past three decades: [20] [21]

The deployment of multiple pop and rock musicians and entertainers to promote awareness of a single cause has many antecedents - the principal inspirations being:[citation needed]

Controversies and criticism

Political motives and campaigning

Further information: [[:Al Gore controversies]]

Some Republicans have criticized Al Gore for organizing the event, and said he did so to promote himself for a 2008 U.S. Presidential election bid, although Gore has said he is "not planning to be a candidate again for office."[24] Gore said he "had fallen out of love with politics."[25]

Carbon footprint

London’s upmarket The Observer[26] reported on 8 July that bands including the Arctic Monkeys, The Who and Muse had dubbed the event Private Jets for Climate Change. Its total carbon footprint, including the artists' and spectators' travel and energy consumption, was probably at least 31,500 tonnes, according to John Buckley of Carbonfootprint.com - more than 3,000 times the average Briton's annual footprint, the paper added.

DaimlerChrysler was worldwide sponsor of the Live Earth event, Germany’s Der Spiegel reported on 5 July.[27] DaimlerChrysler — which was using its low-emissions Smart car brand in the sponsorship — should not sponsor concerts, Greenpeace climate expert Thomas Breuer had told the news weekly — it was just "pure PR". The company should have instead, he argued, really done something for the environment by reducing its entire fleet's emissions. That was the crux of Greenpeace's criticism of DaimlerChrysler's sponsorship, he said. The average level of carbon dioxide emissions from DaimlerChrysler's fleet was 186 grams per kilometre — well above the automobile industry's own commitment to cut emissions to 140 grams a kilometre. The company — and the entire auto industry — had kicked up a fuss when the EU tried to force even deeper cuts, Der Spiegel added.

The artists on stage had to fly at least 222,623.63 miles (about 358,278 km) — the equivalent of nearly nine times round the planet they said they were saving — to take part in the event, London’s tabloid Daily Mail reported on 7 July, adding ‘the true environmental cost, as they transport their technicians, dancers and support staff, is likely to be far higher’.[28]

London bill-topper Madonna — who, fashion magazine Marie-Claire, reported[29] owned a Mercedes Maybach, two Range Rovers, an Audi A8s and a Mini Cooper S — had produced an estimated 440 tonnes of carbon dioxide on her four-month Confessions on a Dancefloor publicity tour, The Guardian reported on 7 July.[30]

“The important thing was not to have no carbon footprint and no acts, but to have really great acts," said climate-change consultant Steve Howard, who ran the Live Earth-linked We're In This Together campaign, the daily added, noting that, among the acts appearing in London, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers were flying in by private jet from Paris and flying out, again private jet, after the concert to perform in Denmark, event organizers had admitted, and The Beastie Boys had to be in Montreux the next day.

Concert-goers at the event’s London leg had left thousands of plastic cups on the floor of Wembley Stadium, although organisers had urged audience members to use the recycling bins provided, the BBC reported.[31]

Al Gore was unhappy with the travel arrangements of the UK band Razorlight. After their appearance at the London Live Earth event, they were ferried to an airport in a large tour bus with police escort where they caught a private jet to an airport in Scotland, from there, they used a helicopter to travel to Balado where they performed at another Event. Razorlight claimed they would plant trees to offset their emissions.[32]

Supporters

In New Zealand, climate change activists in the Climaction Coalition praised concert organizers, stating "Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today." [33] Climaction spokesperson David Colyer said the concert presented "a great opportunity to join our voices with theirs" and called on people who could not attend a concert to participate in local events to raise awareness about climate change. [34]

Bob Geldof and Live 8

Before the goals of the concerts were announced on June 28, the concert was criticized by Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof and Roger Daltrey of The Who about a lack of a final goal. Geldof said in an interview on May 15 2007, that the concerts are a waste of time because "Everybody's known about [global warming] for years."[35] Geldof said he would organize a concert like Live Earth only if he "could go on stage and announce concrete environmental measures from the American presidential candidates, Congress, or major corporations." Daltrey said "The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert ... the questions and the answers are so huge I don't know what a rock concert's ever going to do to help." [36]

A spokesman for Live Earth responded to Geldof, saying that the concerts were intended to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change. "People are aware of global warming but millions are not doing anything about changing their lifestyles."[37]. Al Gore said "What Bob Geldof did with Live Aid and Live 8 was fantastic and he has followed up very diligently. [Geldof] has said ... how important it is to have specific goals and a continuing follow-on effort, and we have designed the Live Earth concerts in just that way."[38] Gore continued, “This one day, 24 hours long, will not only be a wake-up call for the world but the beginning of a multi-year campaign to organise an effective response to the climate crisis.” [39]

Cancellations and planning

A concert for Istanbul was called off, the local organizer said, for lack of government and private sponsorship. "Live Earth Istanbul failed to be a priority ... because our country is in an election marathon and due to fears of terrorism and security risks," said Purple Concerts, which will erect screens around Istanbul to show the concerts in other cities, spokeswoman Funda Dusgor said. [40] Just days before the event, the concert in Rio de Janeiro was reportedly canceled because of a lack of security for the concert, but was later revived.[41]

One website has accused the organizers of being worryingly uncommunicative over where the profits from the concerts will go: UK donor advisory service Intelligent Giving concluded, "This is at best, the most confused, and at worst, the most secretive charitable outfit we've come across."[42]

Washington D.C. venue

It was only hours before the Washington DC concert was scheduled to begin that organizers were able to secure a venue for the last-minute addition to the schedule. The Washington Post reported the U.S. capital had been Gore's first choice for the main concert, but the National Mall was booked. The main concert was moved to New Jersey, but Gore made a surprise announcement during a July 6 media interview that a concert would take place on the plaza of the Museum of the American Indian. "Some naysayers tried to keep us off the Mall, but here we are. ... And it wasn't the cavalry that saved us; it was the American Indians," Gore said during brief opening remarks carried live on the website.[citation needed]

United Kingdom venue

Britain's phase (Wembley Stadium, London) of "Live Earth," has been branded a "foul-mouthed flop", due to good weather Saturday afternoon, in addition to its tennis coverage at Wimbledon. BBC's live afternoon coverage of the concert drew an average of only about 900,000 viewers. The evening viewing figures averaged around 2.1 million and the highlight figures, near the end of the concert, were around 4.5 million. Three times as many viewers had watched the Concert for Diana six days before, from the same venue, and which arguably included bigger names. 9.6 million viewers had watched the Live 8 concert two years before. In addition a large number of complaints were made about foul language shown a long time before the watershed time of 9 p.m.[43]Critics said that "viewers tuned out to what they believed was a hypocritical event". In the end, tons of trash left behind by concert-goers further stained the venue's green-minded theme.[44]

Favoritism

The BBC's coverage was criticised for cutting away from rock bands on the bill such as Metallica and Spinal Tap for coverage of pop acts such as Katie Melua and Rihanna. Further criticism came from when presenter Jonathan Ross praised performances that didn't actually get shown to the TV audience. [3] [4] [5] [6]This resulted in 413 complaints, more than the number of complaints for swearing.[7]

Many people also complained about how Madonna got promoted at nearly every TV link, nearly turning the global event into a "Madonna concert" with her stage presence nearly overshadowing the orginal intent of the concerts to promote enviromentalism.

Acts got their performances shortened to stop the show over-running. However,as a result, by 9.15 (With over an hour left in the schedule) only Madonna & Foo Fighters were left to take the stage. This led to some filling by presenters and the showing of performances from around the globe.

Broadcasting

  • Live Earth Alert, Netherlands contribution/concept [45], to the real program of Live Earth on 07/07/07. Therefore in Westerpark in Amsterdam (NL) a parallel-event had been organised which included ca. 24hour-live-broadcastprogram on Nederland 3 of live-streams (in sequential other) from Live Earth-events and reports from Dutch correspondents stationed in all 7 continents as well as an almost 12hour-side-event at the home-location with performances, artists and other side-activities. Some parts of this Dutch program have been taken over by the official Live Earth-streams and broadcasted worldwide. [46].

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Live Earth.

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References

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  1. ^ "Live Earth climate concerts touted as big success", CTV
  2. ^ "Live Earth Internet streaming sets record: MSN". Reuters. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Live Earth revealed", Reuters
  4. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/11/ngreen11.xml
  5. ^ "Live Earth Aims to Cause Lasting Change". Washington Post. 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-07-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b Al Gore, Kevin Wall issue far-reaching Live Earth Call To Action, Live Earth, published 2007-06-28, accessed 2007-07-03
  7. ^ a b Live Earth a climate 'SOS', BBC, published 2007-07-03, accessed 2007-07-03
  8. ^ Moving Beyond Kyoto, New York Times, published 2007-07-01, accessed 2007-07-03
  9. ^ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/05/lkl.01.html
  10. ^ The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills To Stop Climate Change, author: David de Rothschild, publisher: Rodale Books, ISBN 159486781X
  11. ^ Rodale Books to publish the official Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook, Live Earth, published 2006-05-16
  12. ^ Live Earth switch-off is vetoed, BBC, published 2007-06-04, accessed 2007-07-03
  13. ^ Gore gets last-minute D.C. venue for Live Earth; thanks to Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and their parallel concert-program 'Mother Earth'
  14. ^ [1]
  15. ^ a b c Live Earth Fact Sheet
  16. ^ Yusuf (Formerly Cat Stevens), Xzibit and Kenna to Join Live Earth Line-Ups in Hamburg, Tokyo & New York
  17. ^ a b c www.liveearthhamburg.de
  18. ^ 'Live Earth' Hamburg's Special Guest: Yusuf Islam
  19. ^ Quick Hits: Britney Spears, Live Earth, Queens of the Stone Age, Ozzfest, The Cult, Travis
  20. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-07-04-live-earth_N.htm?csp=34
  21. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-07-04-live-earth-timeline_N.htm
  22. ^ http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2099967.ece
  23. ^ http://www.ireland.com/theticket/articles/2006/1020/1160606784745.html
  24. ^ Gore campaigning for environment, not presidency
  25. ^ "Gore: 'I've fallen out of love with politics'", CNN, 6 July 2007
  26. ^ http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2121512,00.html
  27. ^ http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,492640,00.html
  28. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=466775&in_page_id=1879
  29. ^ http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/Madonna_branded_hypocrite_over_Live_Earth_concert_article_127823.html
  30. ^ http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2120864,00.html
  31. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6279518.stm
  32. ^ Razorlight get told off by Al Gore, AngryApe
  33. ^ http://climaction.blogspot.com/2007/06/aotearoa-live-climate-change-day-of.html
  34. ^ http://climaction.blogspot.com/2007/06/aotearoa-live-climate-change-day-of.html
  35. ^ Live Earth? It's a waste of time, Geldof tells Gore
  36. ^ Who c-cares about Live Earth?
  37. ^ It’ll be Live Dearth
  38. ^ Al Gore - man with a mission
  39. ^ Al Gore - man with a mission
  40. ^ [2]
  41. ^ Rio Live Earth to go on after ban revoked
  42. ^ What on (Live) Earth is going on?
  43. ^ Live Earth branded a foul-mouthed flop - Daily Mail, 9th July 2007
  44. ^ Newsroom America.com, 'Live Earth' Has Dismal Showing
  45. ^ Live Earth Alert.nl (Template:Nl icon, partly in English)
  46. ^ BNN: Live Earth on Nederland 3 (TV) and Radio 3FM (Template:Nl, partly in English)



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