Meanwhile Live Earth

Tim Blair reports

I heard that soooo many politician people have been inspired by what one man, Al Gore, has done for peace and humanity and things like that, that Obama is working on an “Eat for those that Can’t” eating contest to raise awareness of, like, hunger and stuff in Africa or wherever. You know, where people are hungry ‘cause they might not have cars and stuff to get to a store or to a Dennys and stuff. Any way, make sure to watch it on TV! I’m watching it on a big screen and be online with all my friends texting about it. And don’t forget to light your lighter in the cool anthem songs to show solidarity with the people who are getting hot!
[...]
The total carbon footprint of the event, taking into account the artists’ and spectators’ travel to the concert, and the energy consumption on the day, is likely to be at least 31,500 tonnes of carbon emissions ...

Throw in the television audience and it comes to a staggering 74,500 tonnes. In comparison, the average Briton produces ten tonnes in a year.

The concert will also generate some 1,025 tonnes of waste at the concert stadiums - much of which will go directly into landfill sites.
[...]
Live Earth also plays strongly to another powerful denial strategy: the adoption of minimal and tokenistic behaviours as proof of our virtue. One concern is that people will believe that their participation in the concerts is in itself an action against climate change.