Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis may be the event that cements the issue of global climate change into the public forefront. An estimated two billion people received the message on 7/7/07 to
Save Our Selves (SOS) from global climate change. The Live Earth concert series was a major media attempt to raise public awareness and to rally support for "The Live Earth Pledge" which calls citizens to reduce their carbon emissions and to demand that businesses and governments follow suit. More specifically, those who sign the pledge support a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 and pledge to demand that their government sign a comprehensive international treaty on global warming by 2009.
The Call to Action for a Global Problem
This message is one of increasing urgency and of worldwide significance. Not only are new consequences of climate change arising on every continent, but changes in climate are intensifying current problems such as habitat and biodiversity loss, water scarcity, food shortages, and conflicts associated with these scarcities. The message is also one of hope, highlighting the resilience of nature and the ingenuity of people and technology. Live Earth reaches out to a global audience since all people worldwide contribute to GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions.
Setting Energy Efficiency Precedents
The Alliance for Climate Protection and The Climate Group organized this event with the direction of concert producer Kevin Wall and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore to convey the urgency and importance of this issue. Live Earth events in New York, London, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Hamburg all set energy efficiency precedents. By collaborating with the U.S. Green Building Commission, Live Earth implemented green event guidelines and used sustainability engineers in planning powering and facility options. Live Earth raised awareness and proved that energy efficiency and sustainable enterprise can be profitable and draw large public support.
RELATED LINKS
The LiveEarth Global Warming Survival Handbook
Green Power Market Development Group
EARTHTRENDS
Climate Science 2006: Major New Discoveries
Accounting for Business Greenhouse Gas Emissions
