SOCIAL IMPRESSIONS

Spreading a message is rarely an easy task, especially when it is a global effort. Asking people to make a change in their daily routine is often like pulling teeth. Comfort is found in following a pattern. In the 24-hour long “Live Earth” concerts that brought together more than 100 top artists, people were called upon to modify their decisions and lifestyle. Al Gore, former vice president, helped organize this eight-country-wide event to help “heal the planet” by cutting down on carbon emissions. Many questions arose regarding “Live Earth”: Will this event truly spread the message? Will people make the changes necessary to resolve the current climate crises?

Transmitted worldwide, the concerts were broadcasted on TV, radio, Internet and wireless channels. 10 million people alone logged on to experience Saturday’s concerts online. That is not counting the millions who saw the entertainers live in all eight venues. With this global outreach effort, one can ascertain that the message was definitely received.

Many critics doubt the effectiveness of this event. First, the concerts were speculated to have caused more global damage by the 1,000 tons of garbage, and the 100,000 trees that had to be planted to compensate for the carbon emissions released. Second, many noted that the event was mainly attended due to the musical acts than the message itself. So did people tune out the preachings of Al Gore and other celebrities to cut down carbon consumption during the concerts?

The greenhouse effect isn’t a new concept to anyone. Children in middle school are taught about the impact it has on our environment. However, little action has been taken despite the efforts to educate people from a young age. It has increasingly become apparent that being environmentally-friendly is much more expensive and quite inconvenient in the short-term. For example, buying a hybrid car is initially more expensive than buying a regular car. The MSRP for a Honda Accord is $18,625, while the starting cost for the Hybrid version is $31,090. Are the people in the lower and middle classes going to be able to afford the costs associated with helping the ecosystem?

Some have asked if it is really worth spreading a message that might not garner the action that it deserves. I believe it is. Out of the millions who tuned into the event, more than 10,000 people in 130 countries and 50 states registered as “Friends of Live Earth” to show their commitment to making the changes necessary. As we have heard over and over again, “It only takes one person to make a difference, and everyone else to try.”

Technorati Tag: Live Earth, Global Warming, Al Gore