Gore described Live Earth as a "global response" to a "global problem". "By engaging individuals all over the world, Live Earth will drive corporations and governments to tackle the climate crisis," he said. But there has also been scepticism about the value of the concerts from some quarters.
Critics say that flying rock stars in on aeroplanes and using a great deal of electricity to power several concerts sends out mixed messages about energy conservation. "What would be great is if these pop stars - now they realise the damage we are all doing to the climate - look very carefully at their own actions and make some changes themselves," said John Buckley, managing director of the organisation Carbon Footprint. Preparations are under way in nine cities, including Rio de Janeiro Referring to Madonna, he told Reuters: "If she made a change then it would be picked up.
" He calculated that the singer and her entourage emitted 444 tonnes of carbon dioxide on flights during last year's Confessions tour, more than 40 times the annual output of the average Briton. Bob Geldof, who organised the Live Aid and Live8 charity concerts, has described the event as lacking a "final goal" and claimed most people already knew about the hazards of global warming. And speaking to a British newspaper recently, The Who's Roger Daltrey said: "The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert.
" Organisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible. Proceeds from ticket sales are going to distribute power-efficient light bulbs and other measures which will offset the shows' greenhouse gas emissions. Doubts had been cast over whether the Rio de Janeiro gig would go ahead because of concerns about safety on Copacabana Beach, but organisers persuaded a judge that adequate measures were in place.
Rapper Kanye West is among the acts to pledge their support However, the Turkish event - in Istanbul - was shelved, owing to insufficient sponsorship and lack of time. Live Earth will also broadcast two songs performed in sub-zero conditions in Antarctica by Nunatak, a rock group made up of five members of the British Antarctic Survey. They have recorded their contribution in front of 17 colleagues against a backdrop of icebergs.
E-mail this to a friend Gore described Live Earth as a "global response" to a "global problem".
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