Gore Announces 'Live Earth' Global Warming Concert

Al Gore has made the environment his mission since his failed presidential bid in the remarkably close race against George W. Bush in 2000. Since the loss, Gore briefly disappeared from the public spotlight, only to resurface with combating global warming on his mind. His documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, has won wide acclaim for spreading the word about the perils of global climate change. Now, according to the Washington Post, Gore is planning a massive 24 hour concert that will stretch across all seven continents to promote his cause.

The concert, called 'Live Earth', intends to inform the planet about global warming, likely several billion people all across the globe. The concept was taken from the immensely successful Live 8 concert for poverty. Gore's campaign, dubbed "Save Our Selves (S. O. S.)" will feature over 100 bands and music artists, according to the Post. To ensure the success of the venture, as Guardian Unlimited reports, Gore has enlisted the help of Kevin Wall, one of the Live 8 organizers.

Aiding Gore in unveiling the concert was actress Cameron Diaz and the sought-after producer Pharrel Williams. Over 150 bands have signed up for the concert, which will take place in seven cities - one on each content. So far those cities include London, Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, Rio De Janeiro, and one (as yet undecided) venue in the United States. Also, Antarctica is planned as one of the seven locations, probably at one of the research bases on the continent.

Bands featured in the concerts will be prominent performers from the United States and Europe. Already the list includes Snoop Dogg, the Black Eyed Peas, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol, Lenny Kravitz, and British groups Bloc Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Keane, as reported by Guardian. The day-and-night-long concerts will occur at the same time all over the globe.

The concerts are not merely to spread opposition to global warming to a vast swath of Earth's population, but also to raise money for Gore's climate defense initiative, the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Like many causes of the last several decades, the public must be informed about a massive problem before any great political action will take place. AIDS in Africa, poverty in the third world, and the Save Darfur movements all targeted an audience of the world's citizens, transforming them into active campaigners for the respective causes. If Gore and his posse are successful, climate change could occupy the public attention in a manner that would lead to results against emissions and global warming.

William Booth, "'Live Earth' Concerts To Tackle Hot Topic." Washington Post. URL:
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/15/AR2007021502058.html)

Rosie Swash, "Stars Line Up For 'Live Earth' Concerts." Guardian Unlimited. URL:
(http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2014962,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1)