Live Earth Concert for Global Warming. Is it global hipocrasy? and my chance encounter with Jack Johnson.
Today is July 6th here in Mission Viejo, CA and July 7th in Sydney, AUS. I write this entry stuck in a limbo of standby tickets and over booked flights. But let me back up to July 4th. My wife and I are sitting in Los Angeles International Airport hoping to get onto a standby flight to Sydney to start our Australia surf vacation and mini book promotion tour, wondering if we had made the right choice leaving on one of our favorite and most important holidays in America, Independence Day. It was late in the evening around 9:30pm (flight departs at 10:00pm), and who walks past us? Jack Johnson.
One of our favorite musicians, not only for his music but his lifestyle and persona also. This of course excited my wife beyond belief. She was calling friends wanting to snap "secret photos", but I myself never one to be starstruck beyond the casual nod, was not as phased. I began to wonder what exactly was he doing headed to Sydney. Maybe to surf? Hmmm with his wife and kids, (of course they were the perfect little nuclear family) and a friend, I suspect probably not. Logic would then point to a concert.
As time ticked on our flight was delayed so I started going through my reading material. I always travel with at least 1 copy of my book The Betrayal of Man
and it came to me that what a perfect opportunity this was. I have Jack Johnson in an approachable situation. For those of you who don't know the book, the reason for this excitement is one of the paintings I created that is in the book was based heavily off one of his songs, Drink the Water. For more detailed information on the painting and the reason behind my creating it with relation to Jack's song, can be found here. In need of a Hand
Here is the painting:
So here I am sitting there being the non star struck person that I am, didn't want to go over to him and bother him this late at night and with his family no less. I respect the rights off all people, public celebrities or not. Unfortunately for me at the time, my indecision on approaching him simply wasted time and he and his family got up and left our area.
Sensing a missed opportunity my wife and I proceeded to the nearest airport bar and sat for a drink. Attempting to maximize my time in the bar I ordered a double Cadillac Margarita. My brain awash with the thoughts of a missed opportunity to share a message with a very influential industry person such as Jack Johnson, I decide it is time for action! I grab my only copy I have in my non checked baggage, and sign a message to him, thanking him for supporting the cause, being a great entertainer etc. I told my wife if I see him again no matter what I am going to deliver this to him. So as I crushed my Margie, I watched through the window at everyone who came by. Yet no Jack. We sat for a while longer as my wife finished her wine and I watched the TV. The news had a feature on the concert Live Earth. Low and behold whom is playing the Sydney concert? I chuckled to myself how unaware I had been with this Live Earth benefit.
******************************************************************************************
You see, while I fully buy into the global warming theory, and agree 100% we need to change our habits I do not believe we have prioritized issues correctly in the world today. I am a firm believer the more immediate threat to this world and society as a whole is the water problem facing us. Any of you who know me know that I am passionate about water being the #1 priority globally. Thinking to myself about Live Earth and how there should be Live Water instead.
******************************************************************************************
Discouraged we walked back to the gate hoping to get onto our flight. The day for the concert is on 7-7-07. Very catchy Mr. Gore, yet what was even more interesting making me feel as though I was in an episode of Lost, the gate we were leaving from was 77. I said to my wife this couldn't be better, here we were about to head to Auzzieland, and I would be on the flight with Jack. 14 hours is plenty of time to meet him, give him the book and have a chat about the water problem. So I relaxed and knew that this was going to be a good trip.
No sooner had I smiled when they announced all the plane was deboarding due to filling the plane with too much fuel. "Too heavy" they said. This made me worry a bit, wondering if I would be getting on this flight at all I knew I had to take desperate action. If I saw Jack I need to get this book to him immediately. A few minutes later he came walking back with wife and kids. As any young child would be at this point, one was sleeping and one was "having a tough time". I thought no way will I bother this dad right now, but my desire not to miss another opportunity over ruled. I told myself just keep it short and sweet so you don't bother him, as I wanted this to be a positive meeting not a bothersome one for Jack.
I grabbed the book and walked up to him, introduced myself and the book. I opened to the page and showed him the above mentioned painting. We exchanged pleasantries, I told him I would love to give him the painting as a gift. I handed him the book, with a business card, and seeing his wife and family returning, thanked him for his entertainment, and said goodbye knowing I would have plenty of time to chat and get a photo with him and the book (great PR eh?) on the plane.
Well as my luck would have it because of loading "freight" onto the flight which according to one United Spokesperson "is our bread and butter" and "we make more money off of that than people", we did not make the flight... Great service!
******************************************************************************************
So here I am back to July 6th in the US of A waiting to get to Australia and start the vacation of our lives. I turn on CNN and all that is everywhere is Live Earth. Sydney kicks off the concerts with Jack Johnson headlining the show. However there are mixed feelings about the concert and how can it be against global warming but leave such an enormous impact on the planet in a negative way?
"The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert," Who lead singer Roger Daltrey recently told a British newspaper.
From a CBSNews Website:
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla. (who has called global warming a "hoax"), earlier in a posting on the Web site for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works called on Hollywood global warming activists "who talk the talk, to walk the walk."
To maintain its green integrity, Live Earth is implementing "green event guidelines" for its concerts. The guidelines were issued with support from the U.S. Green Building Council; John Picard, a former-member of President Clinton's Green White House task force, is leading the efforts.
Carbon Credits? Come on folks don't get me started on that one. The other ideas though are a step in the right direction. I am sure Madonna has a private plane taking her to the show. And then I reflect on Jack, flying commercial airlines. Good job Jack.
The organizers of Live Earth hope that ultimately concert goers focus on their personal responsibility. Live Earth recently introduced on www.Live Earth.org the "Live Impact" carbon calculator, which enables people to calculate their individual carbon imprint.
Says Makower: "The real impact is not how green they can make Live Earth, but how green they can help make all the concerts that come afterward."
I think the last statement by Makower is the most pertinent one. Some might say that these concerts are "preaching to the choir", and all the people going already care about global warming. But if it is, then at least you are going to take that choir and convince them to make the church they sing in a more eco-friendly place.
Personally I walk the fence on this one. We had Live Aid, Farm Aid, and other aid related concerts and they all seem to have done some good. If nothing else they brought awareness to aids, and global issues. I don't know how much more play global warming needs like this, I thought the Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore was a good catalyst.
Right now everyone, Water needs a good catalyst.
More than 55 percent of deaths in Nigeria are attributable to poor drinking water and sanitation, a report released by Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council ( WSCC) was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.
In case you didn't get it the first time...
On any given day, approximately 50% of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from water and sanitation related diseases.
What it doesn't say is this:
On any given day, approximately 50% of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from temperature illnesses as a result of global warming.
As a surfer and avid water drinker, I say hello! Come on everyone! Water rights are for everyone. No one owns it. Lets make sure everyone has it.
Check out these links. And by the way Al Gore if you read this, call me and we will do a documentary on a real problem for right now.
http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/
http://www.worldwaterday.org/
http://www.waterconserve.org/
Give water to someone who needs it
So in conclusion, good luck on the show Jack, it was a pleasure meeting you for a brief few crucial seconds. As I sit here on July 6th waiting to get to Australia, the masses are lining up to get into Live Earth in a country where they are turning to desalinization to rescue them from their own water crisis?! I wonder how many people would show up to a concert to benefit water? How many hundreds of thousands of water bottles will be drank at Live Earth? How many children could that save? I want to remind you that I think Live Earth is a great idea and I want to stop global warming. But what are we going to drink along the way?
One of our favorite musicians, not only for his music but his lifestyle and persona also. This of course excited my wife beyond belief. She was calling friends wanting to snap "secret photos", but I myself never one to be starstruck beyond the casual nod, was not as phased. I began to wonder what exactly was he doing headed to Sydney. Maybe to surf? Hmmm with his wife and kids, (of course they were the perfect little nuclear family) and a friend, I suspect probably not. Logic would then point to a concert.
As time ticked on our flight was delayed so I started going through my reading material. I always travel with at least 1 copy of my book The Betrayal of Man
and it came to me that what a perfect opportunity this was. I have Jack Johnson in an approachable situation. For those of you who don't know the book, the reason for this excitement is one of the paintings I created that is in the book was based heavily off one of his songs, Drink the Water. For more detailed information on the painting and the reason behind my creating it with relation to Jack's song, can be found here. In need of a Hand
Here is the painting:
So here I am sitting there being the non star struck person that I am, didn't want to go over to him and bother him this late at night and with his family no less. I respect the rights off all people, public celebrities or not. Unfortunately for me at the time, my indecision on approaching him simply wasted time and he and his family got up and left our area.
Sensing a missed opportunity my wife and I proceeded to the nearest airport bar and sat for a drink. Attempting to maximize my time in the bar I ordered a double Cadillac Margarita. My brain awash with the thoughts of a missed opportunity to share a message with a very influential industry person such as Jack Johnson, I decide it is time for action! I grab my only copy I have in my non checked baggage, and sign a message to him, thanking him for supporting the cause, being a great entertainer etc. I told my wife if I see him again no matter what I am going to deliver this to him. So as I crushed my Margie, I watched through the window at everyone who came by. Yet no Jack. We sat for a while longer as my wife finished her wine and I watched the TV. The news had a feature on the concert Live Earth. Low and behold whom is playing the Sydney concert? I chuckled to myself how unaware I had been with this Live Earth benefit.
******************************************************************************************
You see, while I fully buy into the global warming theory, and agree 100% we need to change our habits I do not believe we have prioritized issues correctly in the world today. I am a firm believer the more immediate threat to this world and society as a whole is the water problem facing us. Any of you who know me know that I am passionate about water being the #1 priority globally. Thinking to myself about Live Earth and how there should be Live Water instead.
******************************************************************************************
Discouraged we walked back to the gate hoping to get onto our flight. The day for the concert is on 7-7-07. Very catchy Mr. Gore, yet what was even more interesting making me feel as though I was in an episode of Lost, the gate we were leaving from was 77. I said to my wife this couldn't be better, here we were about to head to Auzzieland, and I would be on the flight with Jack. 14 hours is plenty of time to meet him, give him the book and have a chat about the water problem. So I relaxed and knew that this was going to be a good trip.
No sooner had I smiled when they announced all the plane was deboarding due to filling the plane with too much fuel. "Too heavy" they said. This made me worry a bit, wondering if I would be getting on this flight at all I knew I had to take desperate action. If I saw Jack I need to get this book to him immediately. A few minutes later he came walking back with wife and kids. As any young child would be at this point, one was sleeping and one was "having a tough time". I thought no way will I bother this dad right now, but my desire not to miss another opportunity over ruled. I told myself just keep it short and sweet so you don't bother him, as I wanted this to be a positive meeting not a bothersome one for Jack.
I grabbed the book and walked up to him, introduced myself and the book. I opened to the page and showed him the above mentioned painting. We exchanged pleasantries, I told him I would love to give him the painting as a gift. I handed him the book, with a business card, and seeing his wife and family returning, thanked him for his entertainment, and said goodbye knowing I would have plenty of time to chat and get a photo with him and the book (great PR eh?) on the plane.
Well as my luck would have it because of loading "freight" onto the flight which according to one United Spokesperson "is our bread and butter" and "we make more money off of that than people", we did not make the flight... Great service!
******************************************************************************************
So here I am back to July 6th in the US of A waiting to get to Australia and start the vacation of our lives. I turn on CNN and all that is everywhere is Live Earth. Sydney kicks off the concerts with Jack Johnson headlining the show. However there are mixed feelings about the concert and how can it be against global warming but leave such an enormous impact on the planet in a negative way?
"The last thing the planet needs is a rock concert," Who lead singer Roger Daltrey recently told a British newspaper.
From a CBSNews Website:
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla. (who has called global warming a "hoax"), earlier in a posting on the Web site for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works called on Hollywood global warming activists "who talk the talk, to walk the walk."
To maintain its green integrity, Live Earth is implementing "green event guidelines" for its concerts. The guidelines were issued with support from the U.S. Green Building Council; John Picard, a former-member of President Clinton's Green White House task force, is leading the efforts.
The guidelines are: all electricity that powers the shows will be from renewable sources; concessionaires will be encouraged to use suppliers of biodegradable plastics; waste will be minimized through recycling and reuse; venue offices will use as little energy as possible; production lighting will include the use of LED light bulbs; staff and artist air travel will be offset through carbon credits; and ground travel will be by hybrid or high-efficiency vehicles where possible.Photos: The Greening Of Hollywood
Carbon Credits? Come on folks don't get me started on that one. The other ideas though are a step in the right direction. I am sure Madonna has a private plane taking her to the show. And then I reflect on Jack, flying commercial airlines. Good job Jack.
The organizers of Live Earth hope that ultimately concert goers focus on their personal responsibility. Live Earth recently introduced on www.Live Earth.org the "Live Impact" carbon calculator, which enables people to calculate their individual carbon imprint.
Says Makower: "The real impact is not how green they can make Live Earth, but how green they can help make all the concerts that come afterward."
I think the last statement by Makower is the most pertinent one. Some might say that these concerts are "preaching to the choir", and all the people going already care about global warming. But if it is, then at least you are going to take that choir and convince them to make the church they sing in a more eco-friendly place.
Personally I walk the fence on this one. We had Live Aid, Farm Aid, and other aid related concerts and they all seem to have done some good. If nothing else they brought awareness to aids, and global issues. I don't know how much more play global warming needs like this, I thought the Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore was a good catalyst.
Right now everyone, Water needs a good catalyst.
More than 55 percent of deaths in Nigeria are attributable to poor drinking water and sanitation, a report released by Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council ( WSCC) was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday.
"Over 90% of diarrheal deaths are attributed to poor hygiene, sanitation and unsafe drinking water.
"So, while more than 550 million children have been vaccinated against measles since 2000, driving down measles deaths in Africa by 75%, little action has been taken to prevent the daily death toll of 4,900 children afflicted with diarrhea."
"...some 700 million around the world currently suffering from water scarcity, a figure that could increase to more than 3 billion by 2025"
Today, more than 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water; 2.6 billion people - almost half the total population in developing countries - lack access to proper sanitation.
On any given day, approximately 50% of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from water and sanitation related diseases. Each year 1.8 million children in developing countries die from diarrheal disease - the second leading cause of death after pneumonia. Globally, diarrhea kills at least as many people as tuberculosis or malaria, and five times more children than HIV/AIDS.
In case you didn't get it the first time...
On any given day, approximately 50% of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from water and sanitation related diseases.
What it doesn't say is this:
On any given day, approximately 50% of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from temperature illnesses as a result of global warming.
As a surfer and avid water drinker, I say hello! Come on everyone! Water rights are for everyone. No one owns it. Lets make sure everyone has it.
Check out these links. And by the way Al Gore if you read this, call me and we will do a documentary on a real problem for right now.
http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/
http://www.worldwaterday.org/
http://www.waterconserve.org/
Give water to someone who needs it
So in conclusion, good luck on the show Jack, it was a pleasure meeting you for a brief few crucial seconds. As I sit here on July 6th waiting to get to Australia, the masses are lining up to get into Live Earth in a country where they are turning to desalinization to rescue them from their own water crisis?! I wonder how many people would show up to a concert to benefit water? How many hundreds of thousands of water bottles will be drank at Live Earth? How many children could that save? I want to remind you that I think Live Earth is a great idea and I want to stop global warming. But what are we going to drink along the way?
http://www.eredux.com/states/">Check">http://www.eredux.com/states/">Check this US Carbon Footprint Map out, has United States Interactive Carbon Footprint Map, illustrating Greenest States. This site has all sorts of stats on individual State energy consumptions, demographics and State energy offices.
http://www.eredux.com/states/
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