MADONNA - LIVE EARTH CONCERT CRITICISED OVER CARBON COST

The upcoming Live Earth concert has been criticised after it was revealed the event will cost between $2 million (GBP1.2 million) and $3 million (GBP1.53 million) in carbon offsetting. MADONNA will be joined by reformed rock group GENESIS, the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and JAMES BLUNT at the London leg of the concert, which will take place at Wembley Stadium this July (07). Other acts already confirmed include rockers the FOO FIGHTERS, RAZORLIGHT and SNOW PATROL, as well as rap group THE BLACK EYED PEAS, and soul star JOHN LEGEND. And because a majority of the artists will require transport by air, questions are being asked about the offsetting cost of Live Earth. Environmental Director of the event JOHN PICARD admits he is "upset" about the carbon offset, but claims, "There are areas where we are going to be really successful and areas where we are terribly challenged. "The air travel involved in all this is a nightmare and there is nothing you can do other than buy the offset." Live Earth concerts will also be held in New Jersey, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo on 7 July (07), in a bid to highlight the issue of climate change.