TDG Live at Live Earth

Brian Clark Howard The Daily Green On 7-7-07, Leondardo DiCaprio welcomed thousands of fans to Live Earth at Giant Stadium, under a beautiful July sky, in the shadow of New York City's skyline. "This is a tipping point in our history," said DiCaprio. "In just the past few years, consensus has been reached in the scientific community that global warming is here. Our actions from this day forward determine what sort of future we pass to our children and their children." "What once seemed like science fiction is now an inconvenient yet undeniable truth," added DiCaprio, who then introduced the driving force behind the global event, former Vice President Al Gore. Gore praised the musicians performing on seven continents around the world over 24 hours today. "They are not only taking the stage, but also taking a stand," said Gore, who then introduced Keith Urban and Alicia Keys. KT Tunstall Singer/songwriter KT Tunstall, wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Save the Future,” told reporters after her lively set that, “Yes, everyone''s probably aware of it [climate change], but not that many people know what to do about it.” She said, “It can be annoying when people like me have some success, then think everyone is going to be interested in what you have to say. The best thing is to get your own house in order.” Tunstall explained that she runs her tour bus on biodiesel, and flies Virgin Atlantic, because the company is investing in renewable energy technologies. The Scottish-born musician said she is installing solar panels, reclaimed wood and sheepskin insulation in her home. She said she is working to offset the carbon generated from her 3.5 million record sales by working with a company called Global Cool. "I''ve got 6,000 trees in Scotland munching away at all my carbon," said Tunstall. "It is a stopgap measure, but it is a start." “I don''t really want to ram it down anyone''s throat," Tunstall explained of her commitment to going green. "I''m making it public, but I''m not going to hassle anyone about it,” she said. Tunstall pointed out that she used to ski in Scotland, but now it's very rare to get a good day's sking in there. "I think it''s obvious now that things are changing," she said. Taking Back Sunday After their rousing set, the youthful rock band Taking Back Sunday explained that they had been inspired by Al Gore after their tour schedule crossed paths with the Vice President's global warming presentation in Oklahoma City not long ago. "We travel with a crew of like 30 guys, and we all watched the presentation, and it got our whole crew on the same page, which is helpful," explained Fred Mascherino of Long Island-based Taking Back Sunday. "It's become a mainstream issue, it's not just a hippie thing anymore," explained another member of the band. Taking Back Sunday said they promote recycling at their shows, share environmental information with their fans, and try to make gradual changes in their own lives. They said they have cut way back on bottled water and refuse plastic bags. In his rich, mellow voice, and flanked by two of his bandmates, Dave Matthews told reporters that he has long been a supporter of organic and local food. He says he enjoys driving a Prius and uses cloth diapers for his new baby. "All of these things are facing the same direction, and will help save our asses," said Dave Matthews. "This is a great thing that we all got up together and shout, but truly governments make the laws, and they can really make changes. We need people to say, it may be inconvenient at the time, but we have to act for what we say we want," Matthews added. Matthews said the goal is for people to put pressure on their governments to act to confront global warming. "We are essentially powerless if our governments simply ignore us," he said. Speaking onstage after a passionate performance by Kanye West, environmental leading light Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. told the crowd that the choice between economic prosperity and environmental protection is a false one. He said we have the technology to promote good job growth while averting the worst catastrophes of climate change. Kennedy mentioned raising corporate average fuel economy as one step in the right direction. "You''ve heard a lot of people tell you a lot of little things that you can do to avert climate change on your own," Kennedy told the crowd. "But the most important thing you can do is get involved in the political process, and get rid of all these rotten politicians that we have in Washington D.C." --Text and images by Brian Clark Howard for The Daily Green More on Live Earth: Report from Live Earth: Can Fashion Save the Planet? Live Earth Largest Online Entertainment Event in History Live Earth In The Media Live Earth and the Global Warming Generation VIDEO: Gore Hints At 2008 Presidential Outcome Gore Calls for 90% CO2 Reduction The Live Earth 7-Point Pledge Fans Chant: ‘Gore 08'' For Youth-Oriented Live Earth Coverage, click here.