Global warming is no longer a theory but a reality, the actor said. What once seemed like science fiction is now an inconvenient and undeniable truth. In London, Corinne Bailey Rae sang Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Marvin Gaye's 1971 environment classic, while mock rockers Spinal Tap reunited to perform Warmer Than Earth, in which the Devil complains about high temperatures in Britain.
Earlier, Mr Gore addressed a small event in Washington and outlined the seven-point pledge he wants people to take, binding them to cut carbon emissions and lobby governments and employers to do more to save the planet. Mr Gore wants Live Earth viewers to pressure leaders to sign a new treaty by 2009 to cut global warming pollution by 90 per cent in rich nations and more than half worldwide by 2050. His documentary and now the Live Earth campaign have only added to chatter that the man who lost the 2000 election to President George W.
Bush might mount a fresh White House bid, despite his statements that he has no plans to do so. Not everybody has supported the concerts. The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert, The Who's Roger Daltrey said earlier this year.
Bob Geldof, the man behind Live Aid and Live 8, argues the world is already aware of global warming and the event lacked a final goal. But many concert goers defended the gigs. We could do a lot more for the environment, but I suppose we're lazy, teenager Robyn Raymond said in Johannesburg.
We need more things like this to make people aware. The Shanghai concert was seen as key to Live Earth's success, after the International Energy Agency said China could become the top emitter of the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, as early as this year, a claim disputed by officials. In Japan, visitors were asked how they came to the concert, whether by public transport or by car, part of an effort by organisers to limit the carbon footprint of Live Earth.
There was also footage from Antarctica of the previously unknown band Nunatak playing a short set. The gig in front of 17 fellow researchers allows Mr Gore to keep his promise to hold concerts on seven continents on the date 7/7/7. Global warming is no longer a theory but a reality, the actor said.
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