Daily Loaf

For a big budget, Hollywood-style disaster film, 2012 probably wouldn’t come to mind as an “eco film” to most people. But not only does the movie serve as a message (or warning) of the effects of impending climate change, the director, Roland Emmerich, and producers took great strides to be as green as possible when making it.

Roland Emmerich, known for directing and producing other big budget disaster movies such as The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day, has been living a green lifestyle himself – driving a Prius and using solar energy to power his home – and wanted to carry over some eco-friendly practices into his filmmaking. He stated to MNN at the Environmental Media Association Awards, “After making The Day After Tomorrow, I said to myself, ‘From now on my movies should have a green footprint’.”

And how did he and fellow producers accomplish their green goals? Michael Wimer, a producing partner explained, “We bought carbon offsets, we used biofuel for all of our generators, we recycled our sets and what we couldn’t recycle we donated to Habitat for Humanity. It was important to us.” It surely wasn’t about saving themselves money because they only saved about half a percent of the estimated $260 million it cost them to make the movie.

Wimer also went on to state, “You don’t inherit the Earth from your parents, you borrow it from your children. Changes are happening to the planet, and you either take responsibility or you don’t.”

Hopefully these environmentally friendly acts will be recognized by other filmmakers and be common practice in the not-so-distant future. And, personally, I don’t care if the film isn’t the best picture of the year -I will definitely be seeing it in the theater just to patronize them for their green efforts.

Also, be sure to check out the list of winners from the 2009 EMA Awards, in which Food, Inc. and The Cove tied for best documentary.

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