Dozens of pop stars rocked big crowds at Live Earth concerts around the world on Saturday to persuade fans and governments to go green. Around 40,000 people filled the Aussie Stadium in Sydney, 10,000 turned up at the Makuhari Messe hall outside Tokyo, thousands watched at the steps of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai and many more braved the rain in Hamburg.
Genesis kicked off the event at London's Wembley Stadium, leading a star-studded line-up including Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers who will play before an expected 70,000 crowd. Linkin Park, Crowded House, Rihanna and Shakira were among the acts performing in nine cities and supporting Live Earth, the mega-gig organised by former US vice president and environmental campaigner Al Gore.
Following Live Aid and Live 8, Live Earth hopes to reach up to two billion people through radio, television and Internet. "This is something that is going to live beyond us, go past us," said US rapper Xzibit, speaking in Japan.
"When my son and the rest of the world's children inherit the Earth, I want them to have something they can hold on to, not something that's falling apart, on the brink."
The Shanghai gig was seen as key to Live Earth's success, with the International Energy Agency saying China could become the top emitter of the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, as early as this year, a claim disputed by Chinese officials.
"I think it's very important to have this concert to remind people that the environment is important," said a member of the audience in Shanghai who gave his name as Mr Chen. "Once you broadcast this all over China, everyone will know about these issues."
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