Live Earth is developing relationships with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in each concert venue country and internationally – I work with Sydney, Shanghai, Johannesburg, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. When I started at Live Earth at the end of February, we had exactly zero NGO partners in the above-mentioned cities…as of today, we have about 700 NGO partners and that number is growing daily.

I focus on seeking out indigenous and global environmental groups with strong climate change programs. In Brazil, for example, we are partnering with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Friends of the Earth Brazilian Amazonia, The Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for the Environment and the Development (FBOMS, a coalition of 550 NGOs) and the United Nations Development Programme Brazil. These groups all have amazing climate change programs and are acutely aware of the global implications of the deforestation of the Amazon.

I come from an NGO background and feel honored to be working with our international NGO partners. I marvel at what they accomplish, often with very limited resources. The best part for me about working with NGOs is the first call I make to their director or their climate team. These calls are where I get a deeper understanding of the direct effects of climate change on the ground and of their programs to combat it. Working with this network of committed organizations propels me forward in making sure that Live Earth does its job in activating the world on 7.7.07 to make tangible reductions in carbon output.

Andrea R., Live Earth