Natalie Portman presented Jeff Skoll with an honorary award for his environmental contributions last night at the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) is a non-profit organization created in 1989 which believes “that through television, film and music, the entertainment community has the power to influence the environmental awareness of millions of people.
The Skoll Foundation which he started has funded organizations such as The Amazon Conservation Team, the American Council on Renewable Energy and Global Footprint Network. Portman, who has been a vegetarian since childhood and became a vegan in 2009 after reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals, is an advocate for animal rights. She does not eat animal products or wear fur, feathers, or leather. “All of my shoes are from Target and Stella McCartney,” she has said. In 2007, she launched her own brand of vegan footwear.
Other winners of the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards which acknowledges individuals, organizations and productions that help increase public awareness of environmental issues were Ted Turner for his wildlife habitat preservation work; the documentary “Gasland” and TV shows “Bones,” ”Handy Manny,” ”Living With Ed” and “Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage With Disney’s Friends for Change. Ted commented “You can change from somebody who doesn’t care much about the environment to somebody who’s very concerned about it.”
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Actors Olivia Munn and Jason Ritter hosted the event, which was sponsored by Toyota Prius was held at Warner Bros. Studios featured organic food and compostable dinnerware. Rosario Dawson, Lance Bass and Eva Mendes were also among awards presenters.