Gore unveils plan for Live Earth concert

By Carlos Grande

Published: February 15 2007 18:53 | Last updated: February 15 2007 18:53

Plans for a global day of concerts and events to promote awareness of climate change to more than 2bn people were unveiled on Thursday by Al Gore, the former US vice president, and leading lights of the entertainment industry.

As reported by the FT last week, the �Save Our Selves� campaign will feature events in seven cities on July 7.

Mr Gore said the SOS international distress signal had been chosen because climate change was �the paramount challenge facing humanity�.

�The most important part of SOS is how individuals, corporations and governments respond,� the former US vice-president added.

More than 100 artists are lined up to play in a 24-hour concert, known as �Live Earth�, which will be carried on television, radio and the internet.

MSN, the Microsoft internet portal, will broadcast the concert on the web. In the US, NBC-Universal, the television network, and the radio groups SIRIUS and XM will take part. In the UK, the BBC will be the event�s broadcast partner.

Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg and London were confirmed as the four concert-hosting cities. Other locations in Brazil, Japan and the US are yet to be determined. It is estimated that more than 1m could attend the live events.

Artists due to participate include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Keane, Snow Patrol, Snoop Dogg, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran and Kelly Clarkson.

Kevin Wall, one of the leading organisers of the �Live8� concerts to campaign against Third World poverty, founded �SOS� and will produce the event through his company, Control Room.

Concert proceeds will go to fund further campaigning by The Alliance for Climate Protection, a movement chaired by Mr Gore.

The organisers also plan to use only electricity from renewable sources, employ recycling and biodegradable materials where possible, and offset travel via carbon credits.

Copyright The Financial Time