Almost 22 years ago, Live Aid was a major milestone in my life. Already an idealist, the entire experience had nudged me in a direction..actually, it made me want to go in a direction, but I never quite managed to get there. I have dabbled in activism, I have been keenly aware of environmental issues and global food issues…but I never quite got there.
Today there’s a second chance, of a sort. Live Earth, a massive concert to raise awareness of climate change. It has attracted its share of criticism, some of it deserved (rock concerts are energy hogs) but being concerned about global warming is finally fashionable. Even in the US, people finally care. It may be too little too late, but for most of the last 20 years I have sat here and watched people shovel coal into a runaway train. And I have felt totally unempowered to do anything about it. Finally not only are there things that you can do (instead of complaining about other people not doing them), finally you empowered enough to speak up.
So I’m thrilled with the idea of the concert.
Filed under: Activism, Climate change, Live Earth |
Further thoughts 
Hi Ian – I recall Live Earth also and am so glad musicians came together for this cause yesterday. It can be such a landmark event, worth far more in the changes it brings than the energy used. Critics don’t seem to understand this… and you can’t quantify exactly how many people will now change their lightbulbs or put energy efficiency into practice as a result like you can quantify the exact energy costs of the concert. Wendee