Will Live Earth Be Good for the Planet?

Making News

Is the White House Looking for an Exit Strategy in Iraq? ()

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has cancelled a trip to South America amid reports that he's part of an "agonizing reappraisal" of Iraq strategy at the Bush White House, set off in part by the defections of high-ranking Republican Senators. Press Secretary Tony Snow, who was grilled by reporters today, stressed that the President wanted to respond to the situation on the ground rather than to politics. Howard LaFranchi is diplomatic correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor.

Guests:

• Howard LaFranchi: Diplomatic Correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor

Main Topic

Live Earth and the Greening of Pop Culture and Commerce ()

Live Earth was a 24-hour concert at nine venues on seven continents featuring a galaxy of world-class pop stars along with local acts aimed at reaching across the planet--plus Al Gore on the Washington Mall. In the words of Al Gore, its creator and organizer, the event was designed to "trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis." Were the 24 hours of music, commercials for ecological products and political exhortations a high point of the "Green Revolution" or just another high-tech spectacle? Will millions of people change their lifestyles? Will they force governments and corporations to act on the message, or will the massive audience be lulled into feeling better without insisting on the changes that could make a difference?

Guests:

• Harry Shearer: Member of Spinal Tap
• George Marshall: Founder of the Climate Outreach and Information Network
• Martin Lewis: Co-Producer of the Secret Policeman's Ball
• Matt Petersen: Co-Producer of the Secret Policeman's Ball
• Jody Freeman: Director of Harvard Law School's Environmental Law Program

Links:

• The 11th Hour (Leonardo DiCaprio film)
• Global Green USA (with Brad Pitt in New Orleans)
• Gov Schwarzenegger appoints Mary Nichols as Chair of California Air Resources Board
• Rock the Vote

Reporter's Notebook

Is Boeing's Dreamliner as Environmentally Friendly as Promised? ()

When Boeing rolled out its 787 Dreamliner this weekend, it staged a global event of its own, linking partner-sites in Japan and Italy as well as Everett, Washington. The 787 is a major investment in plastic--to increase size, while lowering weight and requiring less fuel--at a time when the airline industry is both expanding and taking heat for its impact on the environment. Stanley Holmes, Seattle correspondent for Business Week magazine, has more on the fastest-selling commercial airplane in history, even though it won't make its first flight until September.

Guests:

• Stanley Holmes: Seattle Correspondent for BusinessWeek

Links:

• Airbus' A380