04 July 2007

Global Climate Change: Why Can't I Get Excited About "Live Earth"?


Two summers ago I was bemoaning the fact that the environment wasn't cool, not as cool as "Rock Star," the reality show to pick the new lead singer for the band INXS. Now that the environment is hot, especially climate change, why can't I get excited about "Live Earth" the first global concert for Planet Earth?

The 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 will "bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis."

I hate to be a party pooper, but it just feels like the "Concert for" format is tired and distracting. Make no mistake, there's some awesome artists performing this Saturday and if I had tickets I'd be more excited. Sure I can listen on XM satellite radio or watch on one of the various outlets. Some of the bands may actually bring their best chops.

But what then? It seems like ever since George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" over 30 years ago, holding concerts is the best response to crises we can muster.

The sponsors suggest this will be part of a year-long campaign to focus on solutions to the climate crisis. That remains to be seen. Thus far, I've heard one of the sponsors say they want to create a pledge that partners, supporters, and participants will sign onto. Great. Another proclamation.

If that's all the "Live Earth" concerts bring us, then this is just another exercise in hot air.

What we need now is to focus on solutions -- and quick. We don't need more awareness building, we need investments in innovative solutions. The time to act is now. Let's save the party for after we solve this problem.

2 comments:

Calvin Jones said...

We do infact need more awareness raising in some nations, not all of the two billion folk viewing will be familar with climate change.

Having said that you are right that what we need now is action, however this is just the sort of the event to create media coverage, coverage which has been repeatedly shown to set the political agenda.

Having set the agenda an engaged public have an even greater chance of encouraging political change and getting the right policies in place to start serious change.

Crafty Green Poet said...

I thin there is room for more awareness raising but whether this is best done by jetting in rockstars from across the world is debateable. I don't think concerts really engage people too much in terms of encouraging them to change their lifestyles, but then how do we engage people? Given that we all need to be engaged before we can work on genuine solutions.