The Latin American leg of Live Earth is set to go ahead despite a judge's threat to cancel the Rio de Janeiro concert due to safety concerns.
The Latin American leg of Live Earth is set to go ahead despite a judge's threat to cancel the Rio de Janeiro concert due to safety concerns.
A spokesman for the global event said producers for the show indicated they were proceeding with the open-air concert on Copacabana Beach.
A spokesman for the global event said producers for the show indicated they were proceeding with the open-air concert on Copacabana Beach.
The Brazilian gig is the only free event in the series of eight worldwide concerts to highlight climate change.
The Brazilian gig is the only free event in the series of eight worldwide concerts to highlight climate change.
The Rio line-up includes Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray and Pharrell Williams.
The Rio line-up includes Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray and Pharrell Williams.
Guarantee
Guarantee
Aside from the US acts, Rio will play host to a number of native performers, including singer Xuxa, reggae rock band O Rappa and rapper Marcelo D2.
Aside from the US acts, Rio will play host to a number of native performers, including singer Xuxa, reggae rock band O Rappa and rapper Marcelo D2.
A giant beach stage in front of Rio's Copacabana Palace hotel has already been erected, with organisers hoping to attract up to one million visitors.
A giant beach stage in front of Rio's Copacabana Palace hotel has already been erected, with organisers hoping to attract up to one million visitors.
Brazilian prosecutor Denise Tarin had requested a suspension of the concert saying security efforts by police would be concentrated on preparations for the Pan American Games, starting 13 July.
Brazilian prosecutor Denise Tarin had requested a suspension of the concert saying security efforts by police would be concentrated on preparations for the Pan American Games, starting 13 July.
Local promotion company Mondon Entretenimento sought to allay fears, saying it had plans to use dozens of observation towers and platforms, as well as police cameras, as part of the security scheme for the event.
Local promotion company Mondo Entretenimento sought to allay fears, saying it had plans to use dozens of observation towers and platforms, as well as police cameras, as part of the security scheme for the event.
Concert organisers said they received guarantees of security and safety at the event from Rio police, but they are still asking the court to reconsider its decision.
Concert organisers said they received guarantees of security and safety at the event from Rio police, but they are still asking the court to reconsider its decision.
The Istanbul leg of the Live Earth series of concerts was shelved last month due to a lack of interest and sponsorship.
The Istanbul leg of the Live Earth series of concerts was shelved last month due to a lack of interest and sponsorship.
Eight cities will be holding concerts across 24 hours on 7 July, including London, Tokyo, Sydney and Johannesburg.
Eight cities will be holding concerts across 24 hours on 7 July, including London, Tokyo, Sydney and Johannesburg.
Are you looking forward to Live Earth? Where will you be watching it? Or have you had enough of "campaign" concerts? Please send us your views.
Are you looking forward to Live Earth? Where will you be watching it? Or have you had enough of "campaign" concerts? Please send us your views.
Your comments:
Your comments:
To my mind this is pure opportunism by the "stars" involved and they should be embarrassed. Concerts represent exactly the mindless waste of energy (power) that we should all be trying to move away from, like environmentalists and climate scientists jetting around the world to debate the significance and mitigation of global warming.....Steve Carr, Windhoek Namibia
To my mind this is pure opportunism by the "stars" involved and they should be embarrassed. Concerts represent exactly the mindless waste of energy (power) that we should all be trying to move away from, like environmentalists and climate scientists jetting around the world to debate the significance and mitigation of global warming.....Steve Carr, Windhoek Namibia
Has anybody calculated the what carbon footprint will be left behind by all of these concerts. Wembley Stadium will take some lighting!John Barker, Huddersfield
Has anybody calculated the what carbon footprint will be left behind by all of these concerts. Wembley Stadium will take some lighting!John Barker, Huddersfield
Well...Have they ever really made much difference..? Africa is still hungry.. and poor.. and full of Aids...Am sure the earth will still heat up. Helped along not in part by the millions travelling to these events. But the stars.. Well at least they can say.. "I do charity work".. And get their publicity. So maybe not a bad thing after Graham Page, London Uk
Well...Have they ever really made much difference..? Africa is still hungry.. and poor.. and full of Aids...Am sure the earth will still heat up. Helped along not in part by the millions travelling to these events. But the stars.. Well at least they can say.. "I do charity work".. And get their publicity. So maybe not a bad thing after Graham Page, London Uk
With Live Earth's desire to raise consciousness regarding global climate change, I can't help but wonder why I've just seen a number of premium class Mercedes emblazoned with the words "Live Earth VIP Shuttle". Surely, at least for appearances sake if nothing else, the Prius would have been a far more sensible choice of vehicle.Gareth Watkins, London
With Live Earth's desire to raise consciousness regarding global climate change, I can't help but wonder why I've just seen a number of premium class Mercedes emblazoned with the words "Live Earth VIP Shuttle". Surely, at least for appearances sake if nothing else, the Prius would have been a far more sensible choice of vehicle.Gareth Watkins, London
I'm heading to the gig at Giants Stadium near NYC. With The Police, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews and the rest, it's going to be a great concert. I only bought my tickets yesterday and was surprised to still find them available. I thought it would've sold out with such a great line up. Maybe people are getting a bit fed up with campaign concerts...Daniel Cooke, New York, US
I'm heading to the gig at Giants Stadium near NYC. With The Police, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews and the rest, it's going to be a great concert. I only bought my tickets yesterday and was surprised to still find them available. I thought it would've sold out with such a great line up. Maybe people are getting a bit fed up with campaign concerts...Daniel Cooke, New York, US
Ok, let's see if I've got this straight. A couple of years ago a bunch of multi-millionaire rock stars lectured us about world poverty. Now a pretty similar bunch of multi-millionaire rock stars are jetting round the world to lecture us about the environment. Am I missing something here?Brian, Redhill, UK
Ok, let's see if I've got this straight. A couple of years ago a bunch of multi-millionaire rock stars lectured us about world poverty. Now a pretty similar bunch of multi-millionaire rock stars are jetting round the world to lecture us about the environment. Am I missing something here?Brian, Redhill, UK
Although these concerts may mean well, the sad truth is that by tomorrow morning people will not remember the reason for these concerts in the first place. Besides, I am so tired of listening to the hypocritical likes of Al Gore who preach conservation of energy, and then turn around to consume more energy in a month than I ever will in a year. I must say though, I am looking forward to seeing Roger Waters on the tube.Marek Nierodzinski, New York, NY
Although these concerts may mean well, the sad truth is that by tomorrow morning people will not remember the reason for these concerts in the first place. Besides, I am so tired of listening to the hypocritical likes of Al Gore who preach conservation of energy, and then turn around to consume more energy in a month than I ever will in a year. I must say though, I am looking forward to seeing Roger Waters on the tube.Marek Nierodzinski, New York, NY
The main reason for staging these massive concerts is to raise awareness and try to make people more pro-active. This clearly didn't happen with Live8. The only thing you do see is a rise in record sales of the artists involved.Paul Clayden, Chelmsford, UK
The main reason for staging these massive concerts is to raise awareness and try to make people more pro-active. This clearly didn't happen with Live8. The only thing you do see is a rise in record sales of the artists involved.Paul Clayden, Chelmsford, UK
Oh Great, yet another opportunity for a load of celebrities to associate themselves with the Cause Du Jour before returning to their private jet enhanced lives. The spectators are no better - "caring" about making poverty history one minute, then their carbon footprint the next. Remember when it was AIDS? Clearly, all those awareness concerts MUST have solved the problem, since nobody's singing about that any more. If you really care about your carbon footprint, why not get off your rear and walk to work, grow your own food instead of having it flown across the globe, plant a flipping tree. I'd rather people admitted they didn't care than keep up this hypocrisy by watching a pop star and buying a wristband, then going home feeling all worthy whilst they crank up the central heating and turn on every light in the house. Alix Cork, Cambridge, England
Oh Great, yet another opportunity for a load of celebrities to associate themselves with the Cause Du Jour before returning to their private jet enhanced lives. The spectators are no better - "caring" about making poverty history one minute, then their carbon footprint the next. Remember when it was AIDS? Clearly, all those awareness concerts MUST have solved the problem, since nobody's singing about that any more. If you really care about your carbon footprint, why not get off your rear and walk to work, grow your own food instead of having it flown across the globe, plant a flipping tree. I'd rather people admitted they didn't care than keep up this hypocrisy by watching a pop star and buying a wristband, then going home feeling all worthy whilst they crank up the central heating and turn on every light in the house. Alix Cork, Cambridge, England
I hope it's pouring with rain - that'll teach 'em to stop bleating about global warming. I'm sitting here, cold and wet fed up with government using this as an excuse to wring more money from us. These so called experts know nothing - what happened to the hottest, driest summer ever they forecast for this year?Phil, Exeter, UK
I hope it's pouring with rain - that'll teach 'em to stop bleating about global warming. I'm sitting here, cold and wet fed up with government using this as an excuse to wring more money from us. These so called experts know nothing - what happened to the hottest, driest summer ever they forecast for this year?Phil, Exeter, UK
I'm sure its been said already but do the concert promoters realise how much CO2 is going to be produced in putting on these concerts? Seems like a bit of a contradiction: "Lets save the planet but cause some more damage while we're at it!"Paul Grainger, Dublin
I'm sure its been said already but do the concert promoters realise how much CO2 is going to be produced in putting on these concerts? Seems like a bit of a contradiction: "Lets save the planet but cause some more damage while we're at it!"Paul Grainger, Dublin
It's sad but just as Geldof's African hunger movement took the world's spotlight twenty years ago, this recent climate change buzz is burning way too bright to last very much longer. I doubt the terms "sustainable" and "carbon footprint" will be in common usage next year, much less in the next decade.Steve T, Newark, USA
It's sad but just as Geldof's African hunger movement took the world's spotlight twenty years ago, this recent climate change buzz is burning way too bright to last very much longer. I doubt the terms "sustainable" and "carbon footprint" will be in common usage next year, much less in the next decade.Steve T, Newark, USA
It's too bad that most of you are so apathetic about these events. Would it really hurt so much to listen and be aware of the issues that impact our world and enjoy the music? I guess you prefer to just whine and show your ignorance to the problems instead of listening, learning and trying to care about others. If you want... don't go, don't listen, don't download or buy their music but, just shut the pie hole and let the others enjoy the music.Peter Hurley, Chicago, IL, USA
It's too bad that most of you are so apathetic about these events. Would it really hurt so much to listen and be aware of the issues that impact our world and enjoy the music? I guess you prefer to just whine and show your ignorance to the problems instead of listening, learning and trying to care about others. If you want... don't go, don't listen, don't download or buy their music but, just shut the pie hole and let the others enjoy the music.Peter Hurley, Chicago, IL, USA
The Rio event is the only free entry venue making the numbers virtually unlimited (1 million estimate) and is in a an open public place. This places a tremendous strain on local resources such as police and cleansing - already stretched to their limits ahead of the Pan-American Games. It's a disgrace that one of the poorest countries in the line-up has to have its tax payers foot the bill for an event that is coming at no cost to the other nations involved. The organisers should have chosen a stadium venue, applied an entry charge and found a sponsor to pay for the facilities and clean-up. This is a White Elephant for the prople of Rio.Ben Cockroft, Rio de Janeiro
The Rio event is the only free entry venue making the numbers virtually unlimited (1 million estimate) and is in a an open public place. This places a tremendous strain on local resources such as police and cleansing - already stretched to their limits ahead of the Pan-American Games. It's a disgrace that one of the poorest countries in the line-up has to have its tax payers foot the bill for an event that is coming at no cost to the other nations involved. The organisers should have chosen a stadium venue, applied an entry charge and found a sponsor to pay for the facilities and clean-up. This is a White Elephant for the prople of Rio.Ben Cockroft, Rio de Janeiro
The carbon footprint left behind will be massive, John. We're just trying to work it out based on some research by Oxford University a few years ago which seems to suggest that the carbon footprint we produce is larger than we think it is.I think that the organisers should have chosen a webcasted concert. That way, the stage would only have to be small and not as much lighting would be needed.Andrew, Cambridge, England
The carbon footprint left behind will be massive, John. We're just trying to work it out based on some research by Oxford University a few years ago which seems to suggest that the carbon footprint we produce is larger than we think it is. I think that the organisers should have chosen a webcasted concert. That way, the stage would only have to be small and not as much lighting would be needed.Andrew, Cambridge, England
