"Climate train departed Heiligendamm. Next stop: Live Earth." (thanks to Inel!)

Two billion people will watch the Live Earth concerts for a climate in crisis next Saturday, 07.07.2007. It's an opportunity too big to miss.

Nothing this big is ever perfect. A lot of us were asking whether it would lead to anything, would it just be a flash in the pan, a missed opportunity - or could it give impetus to the sustainable global movement we need, not just for a day but for the years and decades to come?

You don't know until you try. So Avaaz started talking to Al Gore and other Live Earth organizers. And it turned out the answer is YES -- this could really help. But only if we seize the opportunity, and ground all that energy and attention into relationships and action.

Here, for starters, is the invitation Al Gore has sent us - all of us in Avaaz. He says our G8 organising amazed and inspired him.

If we take this invitation up, we can make next Saturday a day that belongs first and foremost to us - not to the corporations or the politicians, but the people of the world. What do you think?

Dear friends,

On July 7, more than 2 billion people will join together to watch the Live Earth concerts and demonstrate to our leaders that the time has come to solve the climate crisis.

Wherever you are that day, you can be part of the action. At events around the world, we are going to convert the potential energy of Live Earth into a global campaign. In thousands of homes, people will invite their friends and neighbors to watch the concerts and join the movement.

In order to make these parties truly global, I've decided to partner with Avaaz. The 385,000 Avaaz members from every corner of the world, who mobilized to pressure the G8, amazed me. Avaaz's work to give ordinary people around the world a powerful voice in global decision-making is inspiring, and your organizing around the G8 Summit made a significant difference. Now we have the opportunity to expand on that great effort.

Will you commit to organize a Live Earth house party on July 7th? The parties will be fun--and they'll make a difference. If you've got a few friends and a TV, you've got everything you need.

7.7.07 will be the one opportunity we have to bring millions of new people into our campaign. We cannot let it slip by.

If you host a Live Earth Party, you'll have access to a special video I've made to urge people to take action. Together, I know we can convince everyone attending these parties to get involved. In a few short hours, you and your friends can watch the concert, take action -- and, at the end, upload a photo from your event that will be accessible to others taking part throughout the world. Through these parties, we can reach more people than ever before and build a truly global movement to solve the climate crisis.

Holding a Live Earth party is easy. All you need is a television and a few friends. We will provide you with all the tools you need - Sign up as a party host here.

Live Earth will be a unique moment when the uninterrupted and undivided attention of the world will be focused on the climate crisis. I need your help to make it count.

Thank you,

Al Gore

I'm having a meet-up next Saturday. Are you?

(our comments system is currently broken, but email comments@avaaz.org and we'll try to put them up for you!)