Al Gore Trades White House for 'Green' House

Fans go wild, but can a series of concerts save the Earth?

ByABC News
July 7, 2007, 8:25 PM

July 7, 2007 — -- Jackie Soloman couldn't hold back her excitement for possibly the biggest rock concert in history.

"I'm so excited!" she said. "This is the best thing ever!"

She came with her two friends -- by bus -- from New York's Long Island to East Rutherford, N.J., to catch what was billed to be the world's biggest music event ever -- Live Earth.

There was Madonna in London, The Police in New Jersey, even a group of scientists in Antarctica -- and a last minute Washington, D.C., concert featuring country music sensations Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

These fans say going green is more than a fad and a concert full of big names, it's a new way of life.

But not all fans are so quick to give up personal indulgences to save the planet.

"I came by bus to Live Earth because of the message ... but I don't usually take public transportation," Matt Nagle said. "It's just so inconvenient to take public transportation in daily life. I mean, it's hard taking a bus or train to the grocery store."

Live Earth's organizer, former Vice President Al Gore, hopes that a seven-step pledge and concerts featuring famous artists will address that "inconvenient truth" and encourage people to do all they can to be more eco-friendly.

Skeptics had worried that organizing such a massive production in nine venues spanning seven continents would leave a carbon footprint more lasting than the ecological message itself. But by mid-afternoon, the Giants Stadium parking lot in New Jersey was surprisingly clean, give or take a floating napkin or two.

However, there were some gas guzzling vehicles driving up to the show -- limousines, SUVs and oversized conversion vans.

Melissa Waters, who is gradually changing her lifestyle to embrace more earth-friendly habits, was disappointed by the some of the hypocrisy displayed at the show.

"It's unfortunate," she said. "We saw a limo come by and drop off only three people. They could at least car pool."

Waters then held up a bumper sticker advocating Al Gore to run for president.