Some Live Earth Performers Criticized as Major Polluters
By Ray McDonald
Washington
10 July 2007
Did Live Earth make a difference? While international media seem undecided about the lasting effects of July 7's worldwide event aimed at educating the public about climate change, individual participants are coming under scrutiny.
Madonna performs during Live Earth concert at Wembley stadium in London, 07 Jul 2007
The UK's News Of The World published a story examining the carbon footprint of Madonna, among the highest-profile of the participating artists. It estimated her annual "carbon footprint" at around 100 times that of the average Briton.
The Sunday Telegraph also quoted U.S. reports of her alleged links to companies accused of being major polluters.
While her British spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment, Madonna's New York spokeswoman posted a July 8 statement in the Sunday Independent. It read "Madonna's agreeing to sing at the Live Earth event is merely one of the first steps in her commitment towards being environmentally responsible."
German media took a more optimistic approach, with the nation's best-selling Sunday newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, writing "The bottom line is that if nothing else, the issue of climate protection was a lot of fun for two billion people for one day."
Organizers said that in addition to the audiences at the concerts, international listenership via television, radio and the Internet could reach two billion.
While many artists spiced their performances with environmental messages, comedian Chris Rock was more cynical. Appearing at the London show, he said "I pray that this event ends global warming the same way that Live Aid ended world hunger."
source:
http://www.voanews.com
