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Live Earth climate gigs under way Live Earth climate gigs under way
(10 minutes later)
Sydney and Tokyo have begun a worldwide sequence of Live Earth concerts aimed at raising awareness of climate change.Sydney and Tokyo have begun a worldwide sequence of Live Earth concerts aimed at raising awareness of climate change.
About 150 acts will be seen in nine cities, with gigs under way at Wembley Stadium in London, along with Shanghai, Johannesburg and Hamburg. About 150 acts will be seen in nine cities, with events now under way at London's Wembley Stadium and in Shanghai, Johannesburg and Hamburg.
Among the biggest names taking part in Live Earth are Madonna and The Police.Among the biggest names taking part in Live Earth are Madonna and The Police.
The event is organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, who described it as the start of a three-year campaign to try to "heal the planet".The event is organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, who described it as the start of a three-year campaign to try to "heal the planet".
LIVE EARTH CONCERT TIMES Sydney - 0110 BST (1110 local)Tokyo - 0400 BST (1200 local)Johannesburg - 1100 BST (1200 local)Shanghai - 1130 BST (1830 local)Hamburg - 1300 BST (1400 local)London - 1330 BSTWashington - 1530 BST (1030 local)New Jersey - 1930 BST (1430 local)Rio de Janeiro - 2000 BST (1600 local) Live Earth: Reporters' log In pictures: Live EarthLIVE EARTH CONCERT TIMES Sydney - 0110 BST (1110 local)Tokyo - 0400 BST (1200 local)Johannesburg - 1100 BST (1200 local)Shanghai - 1130 BST (1830 local)Hamburg - 1300 BST (1400 local)London - 1330 BSTWashington - 1530 BST (1030 local)New Jersey - 1930 BST (1430 local)Rio de Janeiro - 2000 BST (1600 local) Live Earth: Reporters' log In pictures: Live Earth
Organisers say the gigs will reach an audience of two billion people via TV, radio and online broadcasts.Organisers say the gigs will reach an audience of two billion people via TV, radio and online broadcasts.
But critics have said it was hypocritical for performers who fly around the world on tours to push the message of cutting down on carbon emissions.But critics have said it was hypocritical for performers who fly around the world on tours to push the message of cutting down on carbon emissions.
The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Mr Gore appeared on video screens to launch the worldwide initiative.The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Mr Gore appeared on video screens to launch the worldwide initiative.
Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett also made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett also made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.
"Your voice matters, make it heard," he said."Your voice matters, make it heard," he said.
It's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live Linkin Park bassist PhoenixIt's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live Linkin Park bassist Phoenix
Reformed New Zealand group Crowded House were joined by many of the other Sydney performers at the end of their set, for a rendition of the 1991 hit Weather with You.Reformed New Zealand group Crowded House were joined by many of the other Sydney performers at the end of their set, for a rendition of the 1991 hit Weather with You.
Lead singer Neil Finn told fans they were "the groundswell" for action on the environment.Lead singer Neil Finn told fans they were "the groundswell" for action on the environment.
'Heal the planet''Heal the planet'
The Tokyo event was opened by the band Genki Rockets at the Makuhari Messe hall, east of the Japanese capital.The Tokyo event was opened by the band Genki Rockets at the Makuhari Messe hall, east of the Japanese capital.
A hologram of organiser Al Gore appeared before the Tokyo crowdMr Gore appeared as a hologram in front of the crowd, saying: "Now is the time to begin to heal the planet."A hologram of organiser Al Gore appeared before the Tokyo crowdMr Gore appeared as a hologram in front of the crowd, saying: "Now is the time to begin to heal the planet."
Among the performers in Tokyo was US metal group Linkin Park.Among the performers in Tokyo was US metal group Linkin Park.
"I don't have any delusions of grandeur that Linkin Park is saving the world," bassist Phoenix told BBC News."I don't have any delusions of grandeur that Linkin Park is saving the world," bassist Phoenix told BBC News.
"But it's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live, and, at the same time, hopefully clean up where we live in the process.""But it's our goal to do what we can to make it possible for our kids to have a place to live, and, at the same time, hopefully clean up where we live in the process."
Japanese singer Ayaka urged people to do what they could. "We can start helping by doing something small," she said.Japanese singer Ayaka urged people to do what they could. "We can start helping by doing something small," she said.
"I started to carry my own eco-bag so I don't have to use plastic grocery bags, and use my own chopsticks instead of disposable ones.""I started to carry my own eco-bag so I don't have to use plastic grocery bags, and use my own chopsticks instead of disposable ones."
Saving the planet with pop Send us your commentsSaving the planet with pop Send us your comments
The gig at London's Wembley Stadium will feature Madonna, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys.The gig at London's Wembley Stadium will feature Madonna, Duran Duran and the Beastie Boys.
Music from the concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.Music from the concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.
However there has also been scepticism about the value of the concerts from some quarters.However there has also been scepticism about the value of the concerts from some quarters.
Critics say that flying rock stars in on aeroplanes and using a great deal of electricity to power several concerts sends out mixed messages about energy conservation.Critics say that flying rock stars in on aeroplanes and using a great deal of electricity to power several concerts sends out mixed messages about energy conservation.
George Marshall of the Climate Outreach Information Network told the BBC: "Having the richest people in the world saying, 'Hey! We all need to cut back a bit!' is, let's face it, absurd."George Marshall of the Climate Outreach Information Network told the BBC: "Having the richest people in the world saying, 'Hey! We all need to cut back a bit!' is, let's face it, absurd."
And John Buckley, managing director of Carbon Footprint, said pop stars such as Madonna should be leading by example and changing their own travelling habits, especially when on tour or with an entourage.And John Buckley, managing director of Carbon Footprint, said pop stars such as Madonna should be leading by example and changing their own travelling habits, especially when on tour or with an entourage.
Dancers performed an Aboriginal welcome ceremony in Sydney"The difference between a private jet and taking a commercial flight could lead to a 50 per cent reduction [in emissions], which is pretty worthwhile," he told Reuters.Dancers performed an Aboriginal welcome ceremony in Sydney"The difference between a private jet and taking a commercial flight could lead to a 50 per cent reduction [in emissions], which is pretty worthwhile," he told Reuters.
Organisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible, with proceeds being spent on power-efficient light bulbs and other measures to offset the shows' emissions.Organisers have insisted they were keeping the concerts as green as possible, with proceeds being spent on power-efficient light bulbs and other measures to offset the shows' emissions.
"We've booked this show with acts that were touring in the area at the time so we could keep the carbon imprint down," explained producer Kevin Wall."We've booked this show with acts that were touring in the area at the time so we could keep the carbon imprint down," explained producer Kevin Wall.