A global greening

GLOBAL charity events can be a real drag, with jet-lagged celebs delivering confused performances surrounded by sanctimonious babbling from other celebs. But Live Earth, the latest extravaganza from Live 8 entrepreneur Kevin Wall -- taking place on July 7 -- should be different. Global warming and other environmental issues have hit home for many musicians, not only through that Oscar-winning doc featuring Wall’s co-presenter, Al Gore, but also because touring takes a brutal toll on the earth and air, and “greening” that process has become an industrywide mission. (The Live Earth concerts themselves will be exemplary “green” events, say organizers.) But honestly, the main reason to tune in to Live Earth’s nine concerts is to catch the stars. The list in London includes Madonna, the Beastie Boys, U2 and a re-formed Spinal Tap; New Jersey’s Giants Stadium gets the Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Faith & Tim, and Kanye West. There’s a rumor afoot that Led Zeppelin will play Bucharest, where Robert Plant is already confirmed! Wait a minute. Can that be good for the environment?

Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis can be seen July 7 on NBC and its related networks, and online at www.liveearth.msn.com.