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Concerts promote climate message Concerts promote climate message
(10 minutes later)
Rock stars around the world are performing to thousands of music fans as part of the Live Earth day to highlight climate change.Rock stars around the world are performing to thousands of music fans as part of the Live Earth day to highlight climate change.
Concerts in London, Johannesburg and Hamburg are under way, while events in Sydney, Tokyo and Shanghai have ended.Concerts in London, Johannesburg and Hamburg are under way, while events in Sydney, Tokyo and Shanghai have ended.
Among acts who have already played at London's Wembley Stadium are the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Genesis.Among acts who have already played at London's Wembley Stadium are the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Genesis.
The day has been organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, as part of his campaign to try to "heal the planet".The day has been organised by former US Vice-President Al Gore, as part of his campaign to try to "heal the planet".
Mr Gore appeared at a smaller event at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, giving a speech which was relayed to the concerts around the world, calling on the developed world to reduce carbon emissions by 90%.Mr Gore appeared at a smaller event at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, giving a speech which was relayed to the concerts around the world, calling on the developed world to reduce carbon emissions by 90%.
Concerts in New Jersey and Rio get under way later.Concerts in New Jersey and Rio get under way later.
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.
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
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.
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."
Speaking from Wembley, Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody told BBC Radio 1: "We're here to learn how to make our tours cleaner. We already offset our travel on our touring, but our shows themselves are quite far behind.Speaking from Wembley, Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody told BBC Radio 1: "We're here to learn how to make our tours cleaner. We already offset our travel on our touring, but our shows themselves are quite far behind.
"We're not the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who've been offsetting for years - and more power to them. It's a band like that and an event like this that you come here to learn [from].""We're not the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who've been offsetting for years - and more power to them. It's a band like that and an event like this that you come here to learn [from]."
Reformed group Genesis, featuring Phil Collins, was among the first acts to perform at London's Wembley Stadium, starting their set with Turn it On Again.Reformed group Genesis, featuring Phil Collins, was among the first acts to perform at London's Wembley Stadium, starting their set with Turn it On Again.
Aboriginal welcomeAboriginal welcome
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Blunt and the Beastie Boys are due on stage later.The Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Blunt and the Beastie Boys are due on stage later.
Duran Duran, the only band to have also performed at last weekend's memorial Diana concert, opened their set with the perfect song for the occasion, Planet Earth.Duran Duran, the only band to have also performed at last weekend's memorial Diana concert, opened their set with the perfect song for the occasion, Planet Earth.
"Everyone who did not arrive on a private jet put your hands in the air," said lead singer Simon Le Bon, who also raised his hand."Everyone who did not arrive on a private jet put your hands in the air," said lead singer Simon Le Bon, who also raised his hand.
German concert-goers will be treated to performances by Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias and Yusaf Islam, while UB40 and Joss Stone are performing in Johannesburg.German concert-goers will be treated to performances by Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias and Yusaf Islam, while UB40 and Joss Stone are performing in Johannesburg.
The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.The Sydney event began with a traditional aboriginal welcome before Australian politician and former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett made an appearance, saying it was up to citizens of developed nations to push for action to reduce pollution.
Saving the planet with pop Send us your commentsSaving the planet with pop Send us your comments
"Your voice matters, make it heard," he said."Your voice matters, make it heard," he said.
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.
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
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."
Neil Finn and Crowded House played to about 50,000 fans in Sydney Phil Collins and Genesis were among the first acts at Wembley
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."
Responding to criticism that the event creates even more carbon 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.Responding to criticism that the event creates even more carbon 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.
Music from the Wembley concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.Music from the Wembley concert is being broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.