Reflections on the 2024 Environmental Media Awards
What better way to connect with those around you than by finding commonality on something we all share: this planet! Throughout a year full of challenges and groundbreaking achievements, the stories we watch as a global audience continue to embed some of the greatest pursuits of our time. Whether it be resilience against a warming planet or setting up work environments that welcome all talents from all walks of life, each year at this annual gala brings that conversation another step forward.
Hosting its debut at Radford Studios in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, the 34th Annual EMA Awards celebrated an evening of the entertainment industry's best efforts toward sustainable production and climate-focused storytelling. The second EMA Awards gala of 2024, the 33rd EMA Awards, took place earlier this year, but it was pushed back due to actor and writer strikes that were felt across the industry. Despite this, sustainability in production and in media still had its night, which speaks volumes to the level of commitment to responsible storytelling.
The 34th EMA Awards, hosted by longtime EMA board member Malin Ackerman, was joined by co-host and EMA newcomer Dermont Mulroney. The ceremony opened with a warm welcome by the co-hosts, followed by a few words from EMA board chair Lance Bass.
Everyone gleamed with excitement, me included, as the EMA CEO Debbie Levin then took center stage to greet all of us attendees and presenters. Debbie revealed that the EMA Green Seal is celebrating its 20th year as a premier standard for sustainable production. She then highlighted that the Environmental Media Association will celebrate a successful 25-year partnership with Toyota next year, signaling the ongoing support between sectors to bring sustainable solutions to light.
With a heartwarming performance by the Pasadena Girls Choir, the energy was set for an illuminating evening of wins to celebrate and lessons to be shared. Once again, I am excited to share my takeaways from the 34th Annual EMA Awards with you.
Environmentalism is a Moral Obligation
The process of telling stories itself is a form of activism. From True Detective winning the EMA Award for Drama Series and emphasizing the importance of voting for climate measures to EMA Young Hollywood board member Gabrielle Naveah coming on stage to share that this year marks both her first time voting and first time presenting an award, I was reminded that each one of us has the moral obligation to use our voice in a democratic process. In a time when progress on climate solutions has been threatened by outright denialism and efforts to curb impact, finding the power within us to use our own voice is even more crucial. Executive producer Mari-Jo Winkler, accepting the EMA Drama Award for True Detective alongside Issa Lopez, said it best by sharing, "It's up to all of us in this room to push hard for a clean energy transition for our industry and to continue to share our cognitive storytelling with the world, and to please vote."
Our moral obligation is to continue pushing our industry towards a sustainable future. Our entertainment should never come at the expense of our planet.
Different Stories Matter Equally
As the world becomes more ingrained and interconnected, we find ample opportunities to witness various experiences. This revelation hit home for me, seeing all the winners in their various categories and opening my eyes to how impact can be manifested. With Top Chef winning the EMA Award for Reality Series as an example of the power to inspire positive change that food has, to vendors of the night — Rodney Strong and Crossroads Foods — demonstrating how impactful that sentiment is, I was grateful to see that these stories come in different forms and matter just as much.
As one part of the evening, a video compilation of the EMA Impact Summit earlier this year highlighted the many industries and opportunities to tell their stories, showing that everyone has an impactful message to share. From hybrid cars and post-consumer recycling technologies to the climate messaging in the latest Fortnite, stewardship, and equity are present in all the opportunities laid out before us.
The audience was humbled when the Documentary Film Bad River Winner highlighted the connection between environmental and cultural heritage."What we are doing to protect Lake Superior is for all Americans. This is our patriotic duty," said Mike Wiggins Jr., one of the winners, on stage.
Tribal members on stage, such as the ever-graceful Quannah ChasingHorse, shared during the acceptance speech that these communities are fighting on the front lines and using their financial resources against legal battles to preserve their sovereignty, emphasizing that tribal history is American history and deserves just as much recognition. The passion and commitment moved me to ensure that all groups have equal opportunity to tell their truth!
Nature Has Told Us What It Wants for Years
While it may seem that the climate crisis and the increase in sustainability/ESG work have increased in the last decade, the work facing a warming planet goes back as far as the 1970s, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to safeguard resources and promote conservation efforts. On a grander scale, the consideration of nature and its preservation goes back centuries.
This notion rang true for me when the EMA Award winner for Feature FIlm Twisters shared some sobering insights during their acceptance speech.
"We used common sense and science to influence how we made this film. We filmed this in Oklahoma. We wanted to catch something of beauty. So we had our cameras on, every day getting something incredibly beautiful," said Director Lee Isaac Chung.
"We love this place; we love this earth. We want to be caretakers of it. So, let's keep working at it," he added. And I couldn't agree more!
The Future is Shaped Today
Finally, everyone was up to congratulate a beacon of equity, compassion, and proponent of environmental justice - Quinta Brunson. As the 2024 recipient of the EMA Futures Award, EMA recognized Quinta's work as a stellar example of committing to sustainable practices both on set and in one's life.
Quinta was introduced by her Abbot Elementary co-star, Chris Perfetti, who shared words that couldn't help but captivate us all. "Quinta created an environment you don't want to be without. How's that for sustainability?" That was brilliant!
Emphasizing today and what can come from it, Chris shared his belief that others will study Quinta's example to understand the sheer productivity, resilience, and grace a human being can exude. All I had to think at that moment was, "Wow."
Finally, Quinta stepped up to accept her award, mesmerizing the crowd with her wisdom and poise, which showed why she is truly deserving of the recognition. She talked about how small changes on set can lead to more significant changes, such as using dressing rooms instead of trailers.
"I want to address the past, present, and future without boring you....we want to tell these stories without boring you," said Quinta.
Acknowledging EMA Co-Founder Norman Lear, a real agent of change, and his legacy of environmental advocacy, it was so humbling to hear Quinta pay homage to those who came before to inspire the positive change we seek to make today. She also respected Bob Marley, bringing life to his words by sharing that "in this bright future, you can't forget your past."
"As I see it, this planet we all share here still must be an anchor, not a weight." That was beautiful. I resonated with those words about being grounded on the planet we all share and how it continues to unite us.
She ended her speech by reminding us that we all need to do what we can to ensure a livable planet for the children being raised today, from Abbott Elementary and beyond.
In Conclusion
The night's gala ended, full of hope and encouragement to continue pursuing action with the planet in mind. Grammy-nominated singer and CEO of Climate Revival Antonique Smith performed with so much zest and energy that I couldn't help but feel inspired to continue this work.
"This is a love song to the earth. It's our world," Antonique sang beautifully. What a way to end an awards show with the reminder that we can do something each day that benefits all.
I am honored to have attended the 3rd EMA Awards, as each time reinvigorates my yearning to fulfill my moral obligation to create the conditions for positive impacts on the planet and society. I know the path is not without challenges; it never really is. With the determination and grit I see from everyone on nights like tonight, I am hopeful we will create a livable world that generations will appreciate.
I want to thank the Environmental Media Association, Toyota Motor North America, the sponsors, EMA's Board, and everyone who made the 2024 EMA Awards possible. Storytelling is a powerful tool to save our planet, your story matters!
I look forward to the EMA IMPACT Summit this coming spring. Make sure you secure your spot at the 2025 EMA IMPACT Summit.
Written by Demitri Fierro, ISSP-SEA (MBA Sustainable Management).
This article is made possible by the EMA Creator Fund. Please donate to support more content from emerging writers and creators.