2009 Environmental Media Awards

by Mihal Levy

The stars strutted the green carpet at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday, October 25, 2009 for a cause: to save Mother Earth.  Environmentalists and the Hollywood elite came out to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Environmental Media Association with the Environmental Media Awards.

This year’s honorees included Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Founder and entrepreneur) and Jason Mraz (singer-songwriter).  Other stars in attendance included Cedric the Entertainer, Dianna Agron and Kevin McHale (Glee), Simon Baker, Ed Begley, Jr., Andrea Bowen (Desperate Housewives), Emily Deschanel (Bones), Calista Flockhart, Harrison Ford, Alanis Morisette, Lindsey Broad (‘til Death) and Finola Hughes (General Hospital).

Stars were there to spread the message of environmental consciousness to the youth. Finola Hughes explained that she felt it was important to educate other moms on ways to do their part and the importance of passing it down to their children.  Also onboard was Kevin McHale of Glee and a former member of the band NLT (Not Like Them); According to McHale, “We were like them, though.”  McHale said he was there to “spread the word” to teens and the new Glee followers, or “Gleeks” (Glee Geeks) as they have come to be known.  He stressed the importance of doing small things to go green, such as shorter showers and recycling.

Lindsey Broad also stopped by to promote awareness, as her show has many elements of environmental consciousness.  Broad also explained that she rides her bike on weekends to do her part and hopes that others will follow.  Now that Hollywood’s gone green, maybe the rest of the world will follow.

Awards for film and television productions with an ecological theme were presented and the winners were:

1) Feature Film - Disneynature EARTH (Walt Disney Studios)

2) Documentaries - (tie) - FOOD, INC.  (Magnolia Pictures)

                                        - THE COVE (Oceanic Preservation Society)

3) Television Episodic Drama - BROTHERS AND SISTERS: “It’s Not Easy Being Green” (ABC)

4) Reality Program - THE LAZY ENVIRONMENTALIST: “The Lazy Family/The Lazy Pet Groomer” (Sundance Channel)

5) Children’s Live Action - BIZ KID$: “The Green Economy” (PBS)

6) Children’s Animated - WILD ABOUT SAFETY - TIMON AND PUMBAA: “Safety Smart Goes Green” (Disney Channel)