Live Earth hopes action follows global concerts

This time around, Gore says they are making particular effort to sustain any momentum gained by Live Earth.

“We’ve listened to the advice of Bob Geldof and others who have been such great pioneers, and we’ve taken their advice in designing this event as not the end in itself, but the beginning of a three to five year campaign,” says Gore.

But Geldof has been critical of Live Earth. In May, he told a Dutch newspaper: “Live Earth doesn’t have a final goal.”

“I would only organize this if I could go on stage and announce concrete environmental measures from the American presidential candidates, Congress or major corporations,” said Geldof.

Concertgoers asked to take action
At a news conference last week, Gore and Wall mapped out some of their goals for Live Earth. They unveiled a “7 Point Pledge” that concertgoers will be asked to sign. Those who sign it promise to pressure their country to sign treaties to cut global warming pollution, personally reduce carbon dioxide pollution, and plant trees, among other things.

Part of the thrust of Live Earth is to communicate what consumers can do to minimize their impact on the environment.

“The problem with it, is that it’s a very complicated issue,” says Wall. “When you think about yourself recycling a piece of paper, how does that connect to an iceberg in the North Pole?”

Wall and Gore have also taken measures to maintain the concert’s green integrity by enlisting the support of the U.S. Green Building Council and John Picard, a former member of President Clinton’s Green White House task force. Live Earth is intended to be an eco-friendly event with power supplied from renewable energy sources and ground travel from hybrid or high-efficiency vehicles where possible.

“This is going to be the greenest event of its kind, ever,” says Gore. “The carbon offsets and the innovative practices that are being used to make this a green event, I think will set the standard for years to come.”

While the former vice president has repeatedly said he will not run for president next year, he says it’s a “main goal” of Live Earth to make climate change an important factor in the election next November and beyond.

“We’re prepared to carry this on for three to five years,” Gore says. “I’m optimistic that we’ll reach the goal before then.”