Laura Dern was honored at the 33rd annual Environmental Media Association awards gala, where Hollywood productions were recognized for their sustainability efforts. The event, which took place at Los Angeles’ Sunset Las Palmas Studios, saw films like Avatar: The Way of Water, Extrapolations, Unstable, and the documentary Common Ground receiving accolades. Dern was also presented with the EMA Ongoing Commitment Award for her activism in the fight against climate change.
During her speech, Dern acknowledged her collaborators on the film Common Ground and praised environmental icon Ed Begley Jr. She also expressed gratitude to her mother, Diane Ladd, and Jane Fonda for their influence on her activism. Dern then shifted to a more urgent message, highlighting the current crisis facing the planet and democracy.
She emphasized the need for a new approach to the climate conversation, acknowledging that despite efforts, the battle against climate change has not been won. Dern urged the audience to consider why some people, even in red states, are resistant to taking action against climate change, pointing out that they have been influenced by negative portrayals of environmentalists in the media.
Dern proposed the need for a new language that resonates beyond fundraising events in Los Angeles and reaches people in states like Iowa, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. She stressed the importance of finding a language that can effectively communicate the urgency of climate action and resonate with a broader audience across the country.
