 Dozens of pop stars rocked big crowds at Live Earth concerts around the world on Saturday to urge fans and governments to go green. As one of the major venues, Shanghai found the gig there some flaws brought by the changeable weather and organizational carelessness. But it didn't seem to bother its concert-goers to enjoy the gala. Our Shanghai correspondent Chen Simeng was at the concert and brings us more.
Reporter: In Shanghai's notorious persistent rainy season in early summer, the 3,000 audience were expected to be prepared for the unpredictable pouring at any time. And the incompetent anchoring skills and the interruption of Sarah Brightman's performance due to a technical problem with the microphone made the concert seem worse. However, all those didn't cool down concert-goers' enthusiasm.
"Watching the concert is not my major purpose here. The money I paid for the ticket was for donation. I think it¡¯s worth it, because it is for the use of environmental protection."
"Me and my friends paid 1,100 yuan for a ticket. Actually we are not fans for any stars. I know the money they collect will be used in raise the mass awareness of the environmental protection. I hope I can help."
At Live Earth concerts, music matters, but the issue of climate crisis is more at the focal point for both the organizers and the audience.
Shanghai is one of the 8 hosts in the world campaign. Beginning with Sydney and ending with New York, the global-spanning 24-hour event expects a number of 2 billion audience through the broadcast of television, satellite radio and Internet throughout the world.
Organizers promised the huge shows were made eco-friendly by using recycled goods and buying carbon credits to offset the inevitable high power bills.
In Shanghai, over 150 volunteers are mobilized to help implement a comprehensive recycling system, educating the public on appropriate disposal of recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
Live Earth also encouraged the audience to take public transportation to watch the show. Apparently, this advice was taken by many people.
"I took the subway here."
"I rode my bicycle to the metro and I rode the metro to the concert. I thought it was appropriate to come on public transport. I would have ridden my bicycle all the way but it was raining."
With industrialization pushing forward, China is becoming a large carbon dioxide emitter in the world. While giving nods to Chinese government efforts to fight against global warming, the major partner for the concert United Nations Development Programme said it's more important to persuade every individual's participation.
Khalid Malik is UN Resident Coordinator in China.
"There is enormous space for individual actions, what we as individual human beings do. So we are somehow to get everyone to become a champion of this earth that we only have one, after all."
But some people hoped the concert could persuade governments to do more.
"It's also important that we influence certain countries, like the United States and Australia who have not signed on the Protocol Treaty, and draw attention to their necessary participation in this cause."
Chen Simeng, CRI News
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