The United Nations Development Programme plans to join forces with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore to support the globe-spanning 24-hour Live Earth concert series on July 7, 2007 in Shanghai.

As one of the nine concert sites across the world, the Shanghai concert will be staged on the steps of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai from 19:00 to 23:00 and will feature both Chinese and international artists, including Anthony Wong, Eason Chan, Evonne Hsu, Huang Xiao Ming, Joey Yung, Sarah Brightman, Soler, Winnie Shin, and 12 Girls Band.

"The issue of climate change is often viewed as a remote subject to the everyday person, a problem far removed from their day to day life and a matter that should be handled by world leaders. It is time to change that perception," said Renaud Meyer, deputy country director of UNDP China during a press conference in Shanghai to announce the Live Earth concert.

Live Earth's proceeds and the audience it engages will support a new campaign to combat the climate crisis that will be led by the Alliance for Climate Protection, which is chaired by Al Gore, and international environmental NGOs.

Globally, UNDP will work with Live Earth in China, Brazil and South Africa by using its local knowledge, network of partners, and experience and expertise on climate change-to help millions of people gain a better understanding of the gravity of the climate challenge and our best hopes for dealing with it and keeping it from getting worse.

For the Live Earth Shanghai concert, UNDP will support the coordination of civil society organizations and community outreach activities to disseminate information about Live Earth and climate change. Through the UN Volunteers, UNDP will mobilize volunteers to support the Live Earth concert. UN Volunteers is also supporting UNDP's efforts to engage Chinese citizens through a grassroots campaign promoting simple but effective ways people can be empowered to respond to climate change by reducing their individual greenhouse gas emissions.