Date:25/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/25/stories/2008092550350200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Live Earth concert coming in December

Staff Reporter

Mumbai will host the event

Bangalore: Mumbai will be hosting this year’s Live Earth concert which has become something of a global movement with its mission to use the “power of entertainment” to “ignite global movements” on environmental issues.

Live Earth India “for a climate in crisis” will feature some of the world’s biggest musicians and performers, environmental advocates and celebrities.

Last year, Live Earth reached an estimated audience of two billion people worldwide when it held simultaneous concerts in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Hamburg.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who recently participated in the press announcement live via satellite, said India should lead the world by committing to produce all of its new energy from clean and renewable sources within the next 10 years.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, rock star Jon Bon Jovi and environmentalist R.K. Pachauri joined Live Earth founder Kevin Wall during the announcement. Kevin Wall was also the executive producer of “Live 8” which motivated millions worldwide to donate to help Africa.

“India will be among the leading powers of the global economy in the coming decades,” said Mr. Gore. “As a democracy that is looked up to by many nations, especially for its commitment to inclusive growth for its diverse peoples, India has a major role to play in leadership by example for the climate crisis and sustainable development,” he said.

In a surprise announcement Kevin Wall disclosed that the creative director for Live Earth India would be film director and producer Shekhar Kapur.

Beneficiaries of Live Earth India include TERI’s Light A Billion Lives campaign (a programme to provide 200 million solar lanterns to rural households) and Climate Project India’s advocacy of renewable energy solutions in India. Live Earth India is coming to Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai on December 7. For more information visit www.liveearth.org.