Nina Storm

When did you first become interested in sustainability issues?

I was born and raised in Alaska, so I've been aware of and active with environmental issues for my entire life. From very early on in my childhood I was concerned about animal rights. I remember creating a homemade sign for our front door against the fur trade, using photos of baby seals. I think I was about 7. Growing up, my parents were involved with the Alaska Center for the Environment, so I spent a lot of time stuffing envelopes. It was always a priority in my own personal practices, whether through voting or working for environmental groups. Before coming to Global Green about a year and a half ago, I worked in entertainment, music and film. But it wasn't satisfying and then it took a while to find the right home in the nonprofit world. I started volunteering with the Global Green as an L.A. committee member and worked events as a volunteer before transitioning to the full-time job. I've learned more about the issues we're working towards because there is a real wealth of knowledge here. We're widely known for our celebrity affiliation and for throwing this party, and while it's an important part of what we do, we also do very hands-on policy work and green building.

What's the goal of the Pre-Oscar Party?

There's so much attention on Los Angeles during awards season, especially during the week of the Oscars, and the celebrities are already here, and the media is here to cover them. It makes sense for us to have this event, and we get to focus on really getting our message out. We want to educate the public, both the attendees and through the massive media campaign around the event, on smart solutions for climate change. We do that with our green home design lounge, which includes things you can purchase like home décor or building materials, and ideas like buying an electric hybrid vehicle, plus other things you can do. We also showcase organic food and beverages at the party. But this is the way we do all of our events. We always offer to chauffeur celebrity guests or presenters for our own award shows in alternative fuel vehicles.

Where do the proceeds go?

The bulk is being raised to continue the green rebuilding in New Orleans. The program we're working on there is called the Holy Cross project and it's in the Lower 9th Ward. It's a project that's been going on for some time, but we need more funding to continue the work, so that's the fund-raising target for this event.

Would the party have changed at all if the show wasn't televised due to the strike?

It hasn't impacted our planning, apart from answering questions from sponsors who are concerned. We look at it as regardless of whether there is a televised show, there are still pressing environmental issues that we need to address, so we're committed to doing our party. It's outside of the awards themselves, it's not scripted so most people are still happy to participate.

What's your biggest challenge in planning such a high-profile green event?

My biggest challenge, which I look forward to seeing change in the future, is that a lot of the organizations that want to be involved and are involved are stretching themselves financially by participating. Just knowing that these beverage companies that are doing things in a sustainable manner aren't reaping the rewards yet, makes me push harder to have them there in the hopes that it will help create more of a demand for them to be more widely distributed, which will lead to them being profitable. Also, we tend to need more time to source things that are sustainable or find signage that's recycled, for example. You need time to find and then get those resources in place. But it's not actually any more difficult, which is what part of our point is. We want regular people to know that they can do this too.

So for people throwing parties at home, what are three green things they can easily do?

First, don't use anything disposable, not even things like compostable or biodegradable dinnerware, because you still have to throw it away. I get that people don't want to do dishes, but it's really not a lot of work if you're throwing a small party. I cringe every time I see those little red plastic plates. Then, let your guests know that there's recycling and make it easy for them to sort their aluminum or glass in the proper containers. And finally, look at the food and beverages that you purchase and go out of your way to make sustainable choices. With food, it's not just that eating organic food is better for us, which it is, but it's also better for the earth through the farming practices.

Is there an eco-swag bag?

There is a very limited VIP bag, but in general we like to avoid giving things out that aren't necessary or that people might just throw out. But in all of the cars that bring the celebrities to the event, there will be an eco-swag bag with very high-end, eco-friendly products.

What's the scope of this year's event?

Well, this year, Michelle Branch is confirmed to perform. We will have green carpet arrivals for the majority of the night and the first experience for the guests will be our green home design lounge in the lobby of the Avalon. It's a really interactive way to get the message across. People can touch things and really understand what materials and products are made of, and it gives them an idea of what’s available for them to put into their homes. We'll also feature an interactive experience about the Holy Cross project to educate people about the work we’re doing there. We also interweave our sponsors into content of the event. As an example, one sponsor is a compact fluorescent lighting company, so we'll weave their products into the space. We also ask the venue to source organic ingredients for the food at the party, which they don't usually do, and we have appetizers and a choice of about a dozen organic or sustainably produced beverages. It's a really fun party that's a really great intersection of the green community and Hollywood. People really look forward to experiencing that cross-section happen. This year our message is 'Reduce your footprint,' so we hope that people have a good time and come away understanding that they were a part of a really sustainable event.

Why do you think you have such a loyal celebrity involvement with the organization and with this event in particular?

Especially around awards season, it's attractive for celebrities to go to something with a message and a charity attached. It's something they can feel good about. We have some amazing people who support us time and time again, Our host committee is Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton and Salma Hayek and they really are committed to helping us. They know that the best thing they can do is to show up because we will get media attention, which will increase our fund-raising. Just by being at one of our events, they directly increase the hits on our website and our membership rates. It's a big result.

What does green mean to you?

It means that you're taking the time to think about the impact of your purchases on the environment and intertwining that into your daily activities. No one can have zero impact, but if you can think about it and adjust the way you do things, you're doing something.

Is there anything that you use in your daily life that you wish had a better green alternative?

I'm waiting for the day when the auto industry steps up to the plate and gives us more diverse and affordable alternative fuel vehicles. I don't drive a hybrid, I wish I could afford to, but I also believe in the argument that the most sustainable thing we can do to reduce our carbon footprint is to use the things we already have. So I drive my old car. But the industry is not going to stop manufacturing new vehicles, so I'm waiting for them to give us better options.