Global gig for climate change fight

"Times like these demand action," said former Vice President Al Gore, speaking to the sold-out crowd of about 52,000 fans in New Jersey's Giants Stadium, near New York City, on Saturday.

With other shows in London, Sydney, Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, Hamburg, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro - and even a performance by a band of scientists at a research station in Antarctica - organisers promised the biggest musical event ever staged, dwarfing the Live Aid and Live 8 concerts.

Live Earth venues featured aboriginal elders, chimpanzee calls from scientist Jane Goodall, a holographic Gore and more than 100 of the biggest names in music - including Bon Jovi, Linkin Park and the Beastie Boys.

The concerts are backed by Mr Gore, whose campaign to force global warming on to the international political stage inspired the event.

At concerts around the world, musicians and celebrities encouraged fans and one another to take little steps, such as not leaving electrical devices plugged in when not in use, or changing to low-energy light bulbs.

Mr Gore made a live video appearance from Washington to open the first show on the other side of the world in Sydney, Australia, and a few hours later appeared on-stage in Tokyo as a hologram. The former vice president attended the New Jersey show, taking public transport from Washington.

He called on members of the crowd to commit themselves to a seven-point pledge to combat global warming, including steps such as demanding a moratorium on building new coal-powered plants and fighting for more renewable energy. "I would like to ask each and every one of you to answer the call," Mr Gore said.

Organisers promised the huge shows were made green by using recycled goods, shuttling some concertgoers from car parks in bio-diesel buses and using biofuels for generators.

Critics have said the Live Earth concerts lacked clear-cut, achievable goals, and lauded rock stars whose jet-setting, high-consumption lifestyles can often send a different, less environmentally-friendly message. In London, after fans went home, the stadium's floor was covered with discarded plastic cups and litter.