I’m streaming the Live Earth concert; Bloc Party is currently performing at Wimbley Stadium. They’re putting on a good show, but I’m always a little dubious of grand, issue-centered concert events like this. Remember the big Live 8 concert from a couple years back? A lot of people probably don’t probably don’t. And even if they do, I’m not sure most people could tell you what the fuss was all about. In the end, I’m not sure that concert did much to create sustainable awareness around debt relief for developing countries. The kids may show up for a concert to spread the word that Global Warning Is Bad And Someone Really Should Do Something About It, but a lot of them are going to drive home in their Pathfinders to their oversized homes in the suburbs. Concerts are good PR and I’d probably be there myself if I could, but the real solutions to climate change are going to inflict some real pain, especially to everyone’s wallet. So far, I haven’t heard anyone at this concert mention the word “sacrifice” to the audience.
