Sting and John Legend Headlining Earth Day Concert in Washington, D.C.

Posted on Apr 5th 2010 1:40PM by Pat Pemberton
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The week after President Obama called for expanded oil drilling in the United States, a group of musicians, including Sting and John Legend, are calling on Congress to pass clean energy legislation in 2010.

The Climate Rally, which will be held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will feature music by the two artists, along with the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, Booker T. Jones, Mavis Staples, the Roots, Passion Pit, Patrick Stump and Q-Tip. The April 25 event coincides with a nine-day celebration of Earth Day. At the rally, organizers and supporters plan to demand Congress enact a comprehensive climate bill that will decrease dependence on foreign oil, cap emissions and create American jobs.

Earth Day was created 40 years ago by US Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) to heighten awareness of environmental issues. In addition to the musicians, the Sunday rally will include 'Avatar' director James Cameron, Jesse Jackson, Olympic Gold medalist Billy Demong and author Margaret Atwood.

Of the musicians, Sting is best known for his environmental work. In 1989, he and his wife, Trudie Styler, co-founded Rainforest Foundation International (now known as Rainforest Foundation Fund), which aimed to save rainforests and protect the rights of the indigenous people who lived there. In 1991, the Police frontman participated in the Concert for Walden Woods, which raised money to protect the 2,680 acres of land owned by naturalist/author Henry David Thoreau.