Ben Gamblin Online - Blog: Live Earth

Live Earth

07 Jul '07, 10:58

Another weekend, and more concerts. However, if one six hour concert wasn't enough last weekend, this time there's eight all around the world.

The cause this time is to raise awareness of climate change, and presumably to encourage us all to do our bit to use less energy and reduce our carbon footprints.

It's a bit hypocritical though isn't it? How much energy does eight concerts take up considering those massive audio systems and hundreds of lights? Not to mention the broadcast equipment, TV stations with their own studios, the number of coaches, planes and helicopters for the performers and staff, the car, bus and train journeys taken by those lucky enough to be in the crowds and then to top it all off, the energy requirements of all those millions of televisions and radios around the world so that everyone can watch it?

However, I'm not going to get all preachy about it. I'll watch the concerts because I like some of the acts. Not because of climate change.

And let's be honest. How much of an effect is this going to have anyway? Global warming is mentioned on TV probably at least once a day. Surely all of those who will listen will be doing their bit by now. I'm pretty confident that after today everyone will carry on as they always have done.

I'm not 100% convinced of the human impact on the climate, anyway. If you ask me, for all we know, climate change could just be a natural variation in climate. That doesn't mean I'll not save energy where possible. After all it does save a bit of cash, and less pollution is always nicer than more. I'm just not one to go mad over it.

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