'Avatar' Among Environmental Media Awards Winners

BURBANK (AP) — The world's highest-grossing film and one of the most awarded TV shows are also some of the greenest productions around.

"Avatar" and "30 Rock" were among the winners of the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards on Saturday night, which recognized individuals, organizations and productions that help increase public awareness of environmental issues.

The awards were presented at an eco-friendly ceremony at Warner Bros. Studios that featured organic food and compostable dinnerware. Actors Olivia Munn and Jason Ritter hosted the event, which was sponsored by one of Hollywood's favorite green-mobiles, Toyota Prius.

Other productions recognized for spreading a green message were the documentary "Gasland" and TV shows "Bones," "Handy Manny," "Living With Ed" and "Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage With Disney's Friends for Change."

Entrepreneurs Ted Turner and Jeff Skoll received honorary awards for their environmental contributions. Natalie Portman presented Skoll with his award. His namesake foundation has funded organizations such as The Amazon Conservation Team, the American Council on Renewable Energy and Global Footprint Network.

Turner, who founded CNN, supports wildlife habitat preservation, promotes sustainable energy and furthers other environmental causes through his Turner Foundation. His award was presented by his ex-wife, Jane Fonda.

Rosario Dawson, Lance Bass and Eva Mendes were also among awards presenters.

Turner, who says he's been an environmentalist since he was 10, said that though there is much more to be done to protect the planet, he's buoyed by the ever-increasing awareness of environmental issues in the United States and worldwide.

"Even people who are not conserving, they know about it, and knowing about it is really important, because you can change," the 71-year-old media mogul said in an interview. "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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