Live Earth - official guide

Message ... John Butler / supplied

JOHN Butler was on the frontline for the environment long before his music hit the top of the charts.

Butler has stared down bulldozers and planted himself in trees to prevent the destruction of old growth forests and national parks.

The roots rocker`s next initiative to further awareness about the state of our planet is the Live Earth concert at Aussie Stadium on Saturday. Along with Crowded House, Wolfmother, Missy Higgins, Blue King Brown, Toni Collette And The Finish, Jack Johnson, Eskimo Joe, Ghostwriters, Sneaky Sound System and Paul Kelly, Butler will open 24 hours of music and message to provoke immediate action to arrest climate change.

"I have been highly aware since I started that if you want to be a voice or part of a musical community behind a movement, there is a certain way you have to go about it," Butler says.

"Something we do is to walk the talk, to lead by example.

"We don`t expect everyone to drive hybrid cars to the gig but we are giving people an opportunity by taking part in this event to join in this movement. It`s not about being perfect, it`s about making an effort and we all have the responsibility as human beings to do something."

As a touring musician, he is now well versed in the benefits of biodiesel fuel, green power and buying credits to offset any carbon emissions generated by his life as a performer.

He becomes highly animated when discussing how enviro-friendly companies in the US such as Music Matters and Reverb, and Climate Friendly in Australia, are helping musicians to stage carbon neutral tours. Missy Higgins, Splendour In The Grass and the upcoming Across The Divide tour with Silverchair and Powderfinger have also embraced the opportunity to invest in wind farms and similar programs to reduce the emissions generated by their events.

Music fans here have proven willing to spend a little extra to buy a green ticket which would offset the impact of their travel to a gig on the environment.

"It is easier to do the right thing now but those choices weren`t available five years ago. Now Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Avril Lavigne ... most of your major acts playing in the US are choosing the green options," Butler says.

"And it is amazing to see the fans - people from all ages, all walks of life - are choosing to do the right thing once you make them aware of the things they can do."

When launching Sydney`s Live Earth concert - which will precede seven other events in major cities including London and New York - former US Vice President Al Gore said he was "amazed to see how many Australians are committed to tackling the climate crisis".

"Live Earth will give people tools to take immediate action and make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives," Gore says.

"Live Earth has the potential to spark a sea change in people`s sense of urgency and hope. I hope Australia takes advantage of the political and economic opportunity to be a world leader in the response to the climate crisis."

* Last-minute tickets to Live Earth are available from Ticketek priced $99

LIVE EARTH`S 7-POINT PLEDGE
1. To demand my country join an international treaty within two years that cuts global warming pollution by 90 per cent in developed countries, and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy Earth.
2. To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO2 pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become "carbon neutral".
3. To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO2.
4. To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship and means of transportation.
5. To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal.
6. To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests.
7. To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.
* The names of people making commitments and signing the pledge through their computers or mobile phones on Saturday will be shown on the Live Earth website, on screens at the concerts, and on the global TV broadcasts.