LiveEarth?

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

LiveEarth?

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

Hi Mouse

Good to see you around again.

The point is - as Bob says we are all very aware of the problems. There isn't a need to raise awareness at all. There were no real clear objectives for the concert. And now reading reports on it, those who criticized Bob for slagging it off now see he had a point. There is no point!

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

Jules wrote:
There isn't a need to raise awareness at all. There were no real clear objectives for the concert. And now reading reports on it, those who criticized Bob for slagging it off now see he had a point. There is no point!

Not everyone agrees (see below).

Given I spent more time watching Wimbledon/T in The Park this weekend, I'm probably not qualified to comment.  I'm not sure that these events matter any more in the developed world, but in the emerging economies they do. This event seemed to aimed more at the latter. I think Geldof was wrong to criticise in the manner he did. He could have been a bit more constructive in advising Gore on what went wrong with Live 8, rather than resorting to expletive strewn proclaimations.

There are a lot of conflicting views on global warming. And the evidence it is anything other than a natural cycle is unproven. It wouldn't be a bad thing to stop chopping down forests, using less of the natural reserves and travelling shorter distances. Not to mention reducing pollution. These are are valid aims in their own rights, and the stick of global warming isn't necessary to want to achieve them. After all the oil will run out one day, so best to lay down some contingency plans now.

What gets me is all these politicians and rock stars lecturing me about driving my car (lucky if I do 1000 miles a year), lagging my loft (done) and turning down the thermostat.   Frankly it won't make much difference whilst the US continue to burn oil like there is no tomorrow.

As an event, it was a pretty lame and the line up didn't inspire (though better than the previous week's effort).  I'd like to think there won't be any more of these events, but give it twelve months and we'll have Live Arms to stop the arms trade. (I shouldn't give them ideas).

Better than Live 8 - Indra Adnan

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/indra_adnan/2007/07/better_than_live_8.html

Bob Geldof's anti-poverty drive led nowhere but for all its faults, Live Earth showed that we the people can effect change.

....the Bob Geldof factor. Comparisons with Make Poverty History were inevitable. Despite Geldof's sniping at Al Gore in the lead-up to the show, it was the failure of Live 8 to achieve its aims that was fresh in our minds as we approached Wembley. Could anything good come of these large music gatherings of the well-meaning but apathetic public?

Ironically, it is exactly those subtle differences between Live 8 and Live Earth, and indeed, between Bob Geldof and Al Gore, in which the seeds of hope lie. While Geldof used his hectoring voice to call us together, he disempowered us in the process: refusing to take even our money - tickets were free - he placed all the responsibility for change on the shoulders of the G8 politicians. All we had to do was gather and party - and let Him do the talking to Them. Two years on, who is visiting the MPH website?

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I didn't watch any or much of it either as I was in London for the day - not at the gig, I hastily add!

In terms of point, I still struggle to see the real point of it, doing something which directly contradicts the message they are trying to portray.

I agree about the conflicting views of scientists towards global warming and do have doubts as to how much we are really contributing towards it. Back in the early 90s I used to work for the Earth Sciences dept at Oxford Uni. My boss was interviewed by the local radio station on global warming. His view was that it wasn't happening. he viewed weather over millions of years not decades or 100 years and there are many different patterns over those years and many different ages i.e. ice age etc. I also saw a documentary recently, you may well have seen it. They claimed that it is government scientists who say that there is a problem, other scientists don't and they gave some very persuasive evidence against it. The sea is the main contributor to the carbons gases and animals give more than us.

That said, I am not 100% convinced either way, we just don't know enough, so I try to do my bit where I can. I too drive less than 1000 miles a year, walk to work, have started re-using bags at the supermarket, put lagging in the loft and outer wall, turned the stat down etc etc. I do use my tumble dryer once a week though and won't compromise on that one!

There is an issue with landfill and using up the natural world's resources, I don't think there is ever an argument against that.

I also agree that pop stars who fly all over the world, have x number of cars etc have no right to tell us what to do. That includes Bob Geldof and Bono (who flew his favourite hat to Italy just because he wanted it).

musicmania · A Hold of Me

Jules wrote:

I didn't watch any or much of it either as I was in London for the day - not at the gig, I hastily add!

In terms of point, I still struggle to see the real point of it, doing something which directly contradicts the message they are trying to portray.

I agree about the conflicting views of scientists towards global warming and do have doubts as to how much we are really contributing towards it. Back in the early 90s I used to work for the Earth Sciences dept at Oxford Uni. My boss was interviewed by the local radio station on global warming. His view was that it wasn't happening. he viewed weather over millions of years not decades or 100 years and there are many different patterns over those years and many different ages i.e. ice age etc. I also saw a documentary recently, you may well have seen it. They claimed that it is government scientists who say that there is a problem, other scientists don't and they gave some very persuasive evidence against it. The sea is the main contributor to the carbons gases and animals give more than us.

That said, I am not 100% convinced either way, we just don't know enough, so I try to do my bit where I can. I too drive less than 1000 miles a year, walk to work, have started re-using bags at the supermarket, put lagging in the loft and outer wall, turned the stat down etc etc. I do use my tumble dryer once a week though and won't compromise on that one!

There is an issue with landfill and using up the natural world's resources, I don't think there is ever an argument against that.

I also agree that pop stars who fly all over the world, have x number of cars etc have no right to tell us what to do. That includes Bob Geldof and Bono (who flew his favourite hat to Italy just because he wanted it).

I'm with you on this Jules. I agree that we are contributing somewhat to climate change but that there has been different cycles throughout history that have been out of human control.
I love music & concerts but I did feel that Live Earth was hypocritical in the energy used for all the gigs & the globetrotting that the performers do every week. I didn't watch it & thats the reason why. The week before I wasn't home but I recorded the Diana concert & watched it the next day because I thought it was a more genuine cause.
I don't doubt that Al Gore feels strongly for this subject but I didn't agree that this was the way to highlight the issue.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I don't doubt Al Gore's sincerity - he is just misguided in what he is doing.

Bob is also targeting the developing world on green issues (after returning from a trip to Swaziland - how did he get there? wink

)

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=112483

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

musicmania wrote:
I recorded the Diana concert & watched it the next day because I thought it was a more genuine cause.

What was the cause?

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

This is a snippet from an article about it in the Telepgraph dated 4 July:

Clarence House had stressed it was not first and foremost a fund-raising event, but any proceeds left after the cost of staging such a mammoth production had been deducted would be split between several of the Princes and their mothers favourite charities.

musicmania · A Hold of Me

ArrGee wrote:

musicmania wrote:
I recorded the Diana concert & watched it the next day because I thought it was a more genuine cause.
What was the cause?

Live Earth was a hypocritical way to highlight global warming. The Diana concert was a celebration of her life where any profits were given to charity. I thought it was nice gesture from the Princes & remember I'm Irish so not exactly a fan of the monarchy.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

ArrGee wrote:
I'm not sure that these events matter any more ...

Ah, seems like I'm not the only one.....

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/Columnists/Brown_Dan/2007/07/12/4333992.html

Its time for the worlds musicians to join together to make a change. ... The promise? Never to appear at another charity concert.

Im not convinced charity concerts are as effective as they were back in the day. Today is the day for do-gooders everywhere to come up with another way to achieve their aims other than drafting a bunch of rock stars to sing old hits and mouth platitudes.

ArrGee · Back To Boomtown

musicmania wrote:
Live Earth was a hypocritical way to highlight global warming. The Diana concert was a celebration of her life where any profits were given to charity. I thought it was nice gesture from the Princes & remember I'm Irish so not exactly a fan of the monarchy.

I still fail to see the cause. Just smacked of self-vindication from the public, having sainted this woman ten years, they had to go and glorify her with this concert.

For the record, I'm no fan of monarchies either nor those whose raison d'être is tied in with it.

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

I think 'reason' rather than 'cause' might be a better word. However, personally, I have no feelings about it either way whatsover! If the music is good then fine. I didn't watch much of it to know who performed.

oshora · CRAZY

I watched some of the concert. I didn't think too much of the line-up. The Police were not very good at all, in my opinion. Can't these "men" get a long at all?!

I'm an Al Gore fan and I think he is trying to raise awareness, so it is a good thing to do. You'd be surprised to see the waste even though people claim to know better. Actually, I've been doing all the things Al Gore has suggested with the exception of using flouresant (spelling?) lights; they are bad for your eyes. I've been doing this since the 60's.

Bob is just jealous of Al Gore! You think? He protests too much. So somebody else is putting on a concert for awareness, so what? Bob's concerts were much better, I admit. Relax, Bob, no one is stealing your "thunder". aww

With respect to global warming, I agree with several of you with some exceptions; I do think all the cars, lights, swimming pools, tall buildings, etc. do add to the warming of our planet. Mix in natures plan, and I think we are speeding up the process a bit. I do not think all that we do is causing global warming per se, just adding fuel to the fire.

I saw that article about Bono sending for his cap, too! What a bunch of malarky, eh! Shame on Bono. The vanity of it all! bleh

Scottie · Loudmouth

I read an article supported by several eminent scientists, saying that they think we are coming to the end of an ice age, so the warming is natural and there is nothing we can do about it. As ice ages last for millions of years, there is no way of proving it either way. Interestin thought though.