Calls for far-reaching action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and the support of US Congress leaders sees momentum building strongly in the final week before a worldwide concert devoted to climate change.

Live Earth brings together an array of big name artists who will perform at concerts staged in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Hamburg and on the Antarctic continent. The multi-site event will swing from one location to another, west to east through different timezones covering a 24-hour period on Sunday, July 7.

Spearheading Live Earth are the environmental organisations Alliance for Climate Protection and The Climate Group, with Al Gore also a partner. In the spirit of the Live Aid concert for Africa, organisers intend to “use the global reach of music to engage people on a mass scale to combat our climate crisis”.

While progress is being made around the world, it’s not enough, Gore said. "Too many proposals fall short of the strong, decisive action that's needed … the nations of the world must join together as one if we are to succeed."

A global audience of 2 billion is hoped for via TV, radio and the Internet, attracted by the likes of The Police, Genesis, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson.

A major aim of the event is to build a groundswell of support among ordinary people for an end to the stalemate over international climate treaty negotiations.  In particular, the organisers want people to pressure their political leaders on forging an agreement by 2009 to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 with global targets to cut greenhouse gases.

First on a seven-point pledge of commitment being asked for by the organisers is cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries by 90 per cent by 2050. This target is far more stringent on rich nations than the emerging international consensus currently – for a 50 to 60 per cent cut by mid-century.

The pledge, already signed by Senate majority leader Harry Reid and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, reads:
  1. To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next 2 years that cuts global warming pollution by 90 per cent in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;
  2. To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become “carbon neutral;”
  3. To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2;
  4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;
  5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
  6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,
  7. To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.
More:
Live Earth website