The Live Earth website has been updated with a fancy (and much improved) new design that features a different “Climate Crisis Solution” every time you refresh the page (not that I’ve refreshed it multiple times in an effort to see every single tip …). And lately, news tidbits about the concerts are popping up fast and furious as well.
On the furiouser side, Live Aid and Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof has said Live Earth is a waste of time. Meanwhile, another group with a very familiar-looking web design is arguing the concerts are a waste of energy and suggesting instead a series of counterconcerts that sound more like flash mob events (gather at 7:07, clap your hands in the S.O.S. pattern, dance silently to the music on your iPod).
Sure, virtual concerts would be less energy intensive, but members of the Live Earth Green Team are doing their best to green up the events. From the Live Earth site:
All Live Earth venues will be designed and constructed by a groundbreaking team of sustainability engineers and advisors directed by John Picard. This greening team will address the environmental and energy management concerns of each concert site, as well as the operations of sponsors, partners, and other Live Earth affiliates.
Each venue will not only be designed to maintain a minimum environmental impact, but will showcase the latest state-of-the-art energy efficiency, on-site power generation, and sustainable facilities management practices.
Speaking of venues, two more cities have been added to the (apparently) growing list of hosts for the "seven" concerts on 7/7/07 — Hamburg, Germany, and Istanbul. Again, no word on the supposed plans for Antarctica (sorry, Antarcticans!). However, earlier this week, Gore did visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to announce that the show on Copacabana Beach would be free and open to the public. Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, and Snoop Dogg are rumored to be on the lineup.
And speaking of lineups, Jack Johnson, Crowded House, Wolfmother, and The John Butler Trio have all signed on to play down under. And in London, Office comedian Ricky Gervais may take the stage with Spinal Tap. Also on the stage in London, the Material Girl may materialize a new single, "Hey You," that she has reportedly penned with producer Pharrell Williams especially for the Live Earth show.
And hey, speaking of penning something special for Live Earth (you love my segues!), a companion book (Al does love his companion books) titled The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Change — or Live Through It will debut in late June.
Finally, if you haven’t gotten tickets yet, check out eBay, now an authorized resale provider. The choices are looking pretty pricey, but take heart in knowing a minimum of 20 percent of the final sale price is going to The Alliance for Climate Protection, Gore’s new org building on the momentum of Truth.
And just for good measure I’m posting this short promo clip for Live Earth that incorporates the S.O.S. theme — short for Save Our Selves:
