Communities United for Live Earth

Supported by the UN Environment Programme, the Live Earth organisers are aiming to stage the largest ever solutions-based initiative aimed at solving the world's water crisis. Six kilometre runs were chosen as the campaign centerpiece, as this is the average distance women and children walk to collect water in many developing countries.

UNEP was also an official partner of the "Live Earth: Concerts for a Climate in Crisis", a series of memorable rock concerts staged on seven continents on 07.07.07 (7 July 2007) which successfully triggered greater public awareness of the threat of climate change.

This startling figure included an estimated 165 million people across the Pan-European region who must cope on a daily basis with contaminated or dwindling water supplies. Part of UNEP's contribution to the global effort this Sunday involves partnering with the City of Vernier to stage a Friends of Live Earth 6km walk along the River Rhône.

Among the cities hosting a Live Earth Run for Water concerts were Los Angeles (Melissa Etheridge), New York (John Legend and The Roots), Atlanta (Rob Thomas), Rio, Brazil (Jorge Ben Jor), Cape Town (The Parlotones), Buenos Aires (Kevin Johansen) and Mexico City (Kany Garcia/ Sandoval).

Other Friends of Live Earth events included clean-ups at local waterways, fund raising to donate money to build wells and other water infrastructure, and a photographic exhibition in Mumbai, India.