2007年VOA标准英语-Rock Stars Perform Around World to Raise Awaren

Big name rock stars and musicians from around the globe performed at concerts on six continents to raise awareness¹ about climate change. A sold-out crowd rocked London's Wembley Stadium, and other concerts were held in Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hamburg, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro and New York. Tendai Maphosa files this report for VOA from London.

The London show like the shows at other venues² attracted some of the biggest names in the music business, including Genesis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Madonna, to name but a few.

They all came together to draw attention to what former U.S. Vice³ President turned environmental activist⁴ Al Gore⁵ called "an SOS, a wake-up call to the entire world."

Former Vice President Al Gore speaks during Live Earth concert, a 24-hour global concert series to raise awareness about climate change, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington

While the shows have a lot of support, there are some who question the idea of the Live Earth concerts. The music is an obvious draw, but some people attending the concert in London also were divided about the long-term impact of the concerts.

"It's something that the world really needs to wake up to, climate change," said one. "I think we are all a bit too naïve, and I know there has been a little bit of criticism towards today - is it actually going to cause more harm than good?"

Another said "There is a lot of awareness out there already. People know that there is global warming. So, a concert is not going to help us."

There are also those who believe that no matter how well intentioned the organizers of the concert are, governments need to take the lead in ensuring a reduction of carbon emissions⁷.

Zac Goldsmith is the editor of the Ecologist magazine. "The government can raise the bar in this, and there is a lot it can do. The government spends each year 125 billion pounds on goods and services, tax payers' money. It should be investing that money in the most sustainable goods, in the most sustainable services," he said.

Gore says he hopes the concerts will jump-start "an unprecedented⁸ and sustained⁹ global movement" against climate change.