It’s Time to Encourage, Not Ridicule, ‘Green’ Efforts

The tone of Chris Willman’s Calendar piece titled “Hollywood Shows That It’s ‘Green’--Up to a Point” (Sept. 25) was really disappointing to those of us working to raise awareness about the problems confronting our environment. Clearly Willman missed the point of the Environmental Media Awards that he was covering and instead fell victim to his own cynicism about Hollywood and the environment.

The Environmental Media Awards were created to honor exemplary television, film and music productions that deal responsibly and effectively with environmental themes. The awards gala gives recognition and visibility to members of the creative community who have used their talents to advance environmental concerns.

The fact is, the entertainment industry is in a unique position to reach millions of people with both a message of concern about our environment and examples of actions individuals can take to make a difference. Through television, film and music, we can inform and empower our audiences to make simple but meaningful changes in their lives to benefit our environment.

No one is now debating the urgency of the environmental problems we face. Our political and religious leaders, scientists and journalists have all recognized the need to deal immediately with issues such as global warming, ozone depletion and deforestation. We all should be doing what we can to make a difference. The Los Angeles Times, through the extensive coverage of these issues, is doing its part on behalf of the environment. And we here in Hollywood are doing what we can through entertainment programming.

Unfortunately, Willman chose to focus too much of his article on the handful of limousines he spotted at the awards event. We all need to make changes in our lives to benefit the environment, from recycling to car pooling to voting more responsibly. These changes won’t happen overnight, but real progress is being made and these efforts should be encouraged, not ridiculed.

Would he prefer that Hollywood demonstrate no concern for our environment? Would he prefer that Hollywood remain silent on issues of such import?

The second annual Environmental Media Awards gala was an important evening, focusing much needed public and entertainment-industry attention on our environment. It is our hope that the awards will serve as a catalyst, inspiring others in the creative community to direct their special talents to the protection of our planet.

There is so much work that needs to be done. We all need to do whatever we can. This is not a time for cynicism, but rather a time for all of us to pitch in and do what we can to protect our environment.