Live Earth sequels planned

The organisers of 2007's Live Earth spectacular are planning a series of televised concerts at college campuses in the US in autumn.


Tom Feegel, Live Earth chief of staff, let slip that the smaller, more intimate gigs are planned for October.

Only students will be allowed to buy tickets for the concerts but organisers hope to attract large television audiences.

A second large scale event is also in the pipeline, which is expected to be more similar to the Live Earth concerts, when a host of top artists played at eight different cities to raise awareness of climate change.

Speaking at the Greening Events Summit 08 event in London on Monday, Mr Feegel said the event aimed to “engage what we believe will be the greenest generation”.

He told delegates how he and his team had tried to make Live Earth as green as possible, such as only using stage lighting after the sun went down.

Concert-goers were encouraged to travel by public transport and in Sydney, for example, the ticket price included a ticket for public transport.

More than 80% of litter at the events was diverted from landfill and in Rio de Janeiro models were employed to clean up litter while the concert was ongoing.

Organisers of the 2012 Olympics in London are also aiming to set a sustainable example to the rest of the world.

David Stubbs, the organising committee’s head of environment and sustainable development, told delegates the plans focused on five key areas – waste, biodiversity, climate change, inclusion and healthy living.

They are currently trying to calculate the carbon footprint of the Games – something Mr Stubbs said has never been done for a large scale sporting event.

“That’s a key part of the work we are doing,” he said. “Then we are going to look at how we are going to reduce those emissions and cut down quite aggressively on those impacts.”

Spectators will be able to visit the One Planet Pavilion – a showcase of sustainable living ideas and advice – and the committee hopes to use a greener fuel for the iconic Olympic Flame.

Kate Martin

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