Green cred: Gerber serves as board chair of the Environmental
Media Assn., where he has aided prexy Debbie Levin to extend the org's reach in
the entertainment industry. Gerber was instrumental in connecting EMA with E!
Entertainment prexy and CEO Ted Harbert. E! televised the annual awards show
this year. Gerber's office also has a Green Seal from the org, which recognizes
individuals and companies in entertainment showing leadership on green issues.
The producer has started to ensure that his films go carbon neutral
("Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning" was the first), by offsetting the
carbon emissions generated by the production of a film with the planting of
trees and investment in renewable energy sources.
Focus: "Everything -- from
recycling to global warming," Gerber says.
Latest
battle: "Other than the Environmental Media Awards, every day is a lobby or protest.
Just do it."
Eco mantra: "It is not hard to
make a difference; you just have to care enough to do something and try to
inspire others to do their part."
Green cred: Oregon native Matt Groening attended "hippie
haven" Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. When Groening moved to Los
Angeles, he had a tough time getting used to the smog and the minimalls. He
persevered and eventually created "The Simpsons," where week after
week he incorporated environmental messages in every episode.
The animated
show has won six EMA awards, more than any other series. In 2001,
"Simpsons" character Lisa Simpson received the EMA Board of Directors
Ongoing Commitment Award.
Focus: Through Lisa Simpson,
Groening has focused on vegetarianism, smoking, pollution and other health
issues. "Lisa has a very simple philosophy," Groening has said.
"Whatever you see her father Homer do, eat, or drink -- don't try this at
home. I made sure that Homer worked in a nuclear power plant, because then we
can keep returning to that and making a point about the environment."
Latest
battle: "The Simpsons Movie" will bring Groening's environmental message
to the bigscreen in July, 2007. The plot involves Homer accidentally leaking
toxic waste into the river from the nuclear power plant, forcing all the
Springfield residents to evacuate. Erin Brockovich makes a cameo.
Eco mantra: "I have a secret
motto which is, 'To entertain and subvert.' If we can point out that teachers,
political leaders, religious leaders, your parents, or your peers may be
foolish, that's a good lesson. Think for yourself."
Green cred: A trip through the American West in the early 1980s
opened Kevin Reilly's eyes to the environmental challenges facing the planet.
"I saw many pristine places but also huge swaths that were already
affected by residential and industrial development -- logging, oil and mining
exploitation. The terrible scars that were left behind really bothered me and
stuck with me," says Reilly. "So I simply started tuning in, seeking
out more information. I learned that the visible effects I saw were only the
tip of the iceberg, and a web of interrelated issues extended out to even a
global scale."
Focus: "I think we can't
focus enough on global warming. It is no longer being scientifically refuted by
anyone. It is starting to be understood by the mass populace as an important
and urgent matter -- and beginning to show up as an important political issue.
But the clock is ticking louder. And if you believe even the most modest and
scientifically documented projections, then there is not nearly enough being
done on an individual, national or international level to positively alter our
global course."
Latest
battle: The Environmental Media Awards. He has been an active EMA board member for
about seven years. "The awards event is our primary fund-raiser, but also
one of the forums in which we rally the Hollywood community to raise awareness,
to promote responsible messages and environmentally sound practices in the
media and entertainment industry," says Reilly, who encourages NBC shows
to strive for an EMA Green Seal and allows EMA staffers to brief show writers
on eco issues.
Eco mantra: "Think globally,
act locally."