The organizers of Live Earth have come under severe criticism recently for their so called efforts in creating a pollution free green earth. Their alleged aims of bringing about a climate channge have been questioned by the fact that Live Earth will be holding eight concerts for audiences from Australia to New Jersey. There will be 150 acts for a stadium tightly packed with people. This will unquestionably bring about an increase in garbage and the gas used will further lead to pollution; very much against the professed goal of Live Earth which is to “trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis.”

However in their continuing efforts to control global warming and maintain the green integrity, Live Earth will be implementing “green event guidelines” for its shows.

Issued with support from the U.S. Green Building Council, these guidelines will work towards reducing the waste and pollution.

These guidelines state that firstly, the elctricity used for the concerts will be from renewable sources. Secondly, suppliers of biodegradable plastics will be used by concessionaires. Next, recycling and reuse will be encouraged to reduce the garbage. Also, use of energy will be minimized, LED light bulbs will be utilized and hybrid or high-efficiency vehicles will be used for ground travel. Most importantly however, there will be use of carbon offsets, where air travel for the artists and staff is concerned.

According to former Vice President and Live Earth partner Al 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.”

Singer-guitarist Adam Gardner of the band Guster also affirms the effectiveness of the efforts of Live Earth in the long run.

However, some have criticized the reliability of carbon offsets in combatting pollution. According to Picard offsets are “a necessary evil right now.” At the same time the use of private jets for artists and meat-selling vendors at the concerts are other areas which have come under criticism.

The organizers of the Live Earth however, hope to influence the audience who come to attend their concerts. They hope to attract over two million people and also hope that the concert-goers help in reducing the waste by looking at it as a responsibility.

However, the point to be noted here is not how successful is Live Earth in creating a green earth; but the amount of impact it has on future concerts.

As Who lead singer Roger Daltrey rightly said,

“The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert.”

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