At the 66th Grammy 2024 Awards single-use plastic was forbidden & SZA sang for reforestation. Read how else the Grammys were sustainable.
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There was a lot of buzz about the events happening at the Crypto.com Arena last night. The Grammy Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the music industry, made headlines with history-making wins, Grammy-snubs and first-timers, breathtaking performances, and so much more. Yet, while the awards show has always been synonymous with glitz, glamour, and unforgettable performances, one missing headline is how music’s glitziest night has been taking steps to go green. Granted, headlines like “How the Recording Academy Is Being Ecological Responsible” isn’t exactly click-bait. But, the fact that an estimated 16.9 million people tuned in to watch last night’s events, shows just how impactful the awards ceremony is. Maybe it’s time we start talking about how one of the hottest nights in music (pun intended) is going green.
In recent years, the Recording Academy has taken steps towards promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. Menus have put sustainable diets front and center by forgoing meat for vegetables and banning single-use plastic water bottles. This year, partnerships with organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) were leveraged to spark change and inspire artists, industry professionals, and music enthusiasts to embrace social and environmental responsibility.
Vintage WON Big
An old sustainable proverb says, “The most sustainable item is the one you already own”. Sustainability is about using our resources in a manner that will preserve them for future generations. In recent years, there’s been a growing concern about how our current production model uses resources at a rate that is faster than they can be replenished by nature. On top of that, we waste at a rate that is also harmful to future generations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that our current take-make-waste cycle generates more than 250 million tons of waste per year. As that waste sits in landfills slowly degrading, it accumulates. Imagine what that will look like in 20 years.
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So, how does vintage fashion play a sustainable role in protecting our future? The answer goes back to that old proverb. Instead of taking earth’s raw resources- fossil fuels, water, cotton, etc.- to create beautiful fashion, why not look to the past and wear what we already have? While, it’s not unusual for today’s stars to pluck a dress from the luxury designer archives for their red carpet looks, highlighting that even those with access to the world’s premiere looks are choosing to rewear pieces can be a point of inspiration to reduce, reuse, and recycle when it comes to fashion.
At this year’s Grammys, vintage looks were seen on several stars. Twenty-year-old Olivia Rodrigo channeled old Hollywood glamour in a 28-year-old Versace gown. Dripping in sequins and crystals, the starlet dazzled in a dress that was older than her. Miley Cyrus gave one of the best performances in a vintage show-stopping Bob Mackie dress. Even Oprah turned up to pay tribute to her late friend and musical legend, Tina Turner, in a vintage Valentino sequined mini.
The Priceless Planet Coalition: Restoring Forests
Outside of inspiring change through fashion, one key sustainable initiative amplified by the Grammy Awards was the Priceless Planet Coalition. Launched in 2020 by Mastercard, the ambitious project aims to restore 100 million trees in forests around the world that have the greatest potential positive impact on the climate, communities, and nature. Located on six continents in addition to the island of Madagascar and the Philippines, there are 18 projects scheduled in total. In Martin County, Kentucky, where deforestation from strip mining has degraded water sources, 1000,000 trees will be planted. In Madagascar, a region that has lost 25% of its tree cover since 2001, the project aims to plant millions of trees to help restore its habitats. Other tree-planting projects can be explored via the interactive map that shows where the 100 million trees will be planted.
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By partnering with environmental organizations such as these, the Grammys aims to highlight to the public how we can collectively make a tangible difference in the fight against climate change. The Priceless Planet Coalition recognizes that it takes collective action to create scaled impact for the planet, and the Grammy Awards serve as a powerful platform (remember 16.9 million people were estimated to have tuned into last night’s festivities) to rally people together.
Inspiring Change Through Artistry: SZA’s Performance
One buzz-worthy performance last night was SZA’s debut of “Saturn”. While X (formerly Twitter) was chatting about the katana-wielding fight scenes during her set for “Kill Bill”, her other performance of the night was just as enchanting and brought attention to the Priceless Planet Coalition reforestation initiatives. Dancers moved through a forest landscape like wood nymphs and swung from trees while SZA sang about leaving earth for Saturn. The renowned artist, delivered her captivating performance of “Saturn” from her upcoming album, LANA that aired during Mastercard’s commercial time. With her closing remarks, “We’re a force of nature when we come together. That’s why I’m supporting Mastercard and their mission to restore forests from around the globe. Join me,” she was able to highlight the importance of taking action for a sustainable future.
To further engage the audience, Mastercard organized an Instagram sweepstakes where Mastercard cardholders had the chance to win their own tree seed incorporated into SZA’s performance outfit. By intertwining art, music, and actions to mitigate climate change, the Grammy Awards created an immersive experience that resonated with viewers and encouraged them to join the cause.
Supporting the Priceless Planet Coalition Through Purchases
Mastercard, the official payment technology partner of the Grammy Awards, also collaborated with Lyft and SiriusXM to provide consumers with opportunities to support the Priceless Planet Coalition through their purchases. Starting from February 4th, when consumers use their U.S. World or World Elite Mastercard to pay for a Lyft ride, a tree will be planted, up to half a million trees. Similarly, when eligible consumers subscribe to SiriusXM’s All Access (App Only) plan on siriusxm.com/mastercard, they will not only get four months free but also contribute to planting 10 trees, with an opportunity for more trees to be planted just for listening on the app, up to half a million trees. These initiatives empower individuals to make a positive impact on the environment through everyday transactions.
Music as a Catalyst for Change
Music has a unique ability to inspire and mobilize people. Think of the lasting impact Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, or Beyonce’s music have had when their songs spark questions about society’s most pressing issues. Likewise, the Grammy Awards is harnessing the power of music to drive its own impact towards environmental action.
With this in mind, the Recording Academy is leveraging its network and relationships to create collective action for the planet. Since 2007, they have been partnering with the NRDC to:
- Powering the telecast and related events with renewable wind-power energy.
- Incorporating hybrid and other fuel-efficient automobiles into the event’s fleet
- Promoting recycling
- Reducing waste generated by the annual event
- Using recycled materials in paper products including the GRAMMY program books, invitations, and other print materials
Through its partnerships with environmental organizations, The Grammys aims to inspire performers and consumers with opportunities to support efforts to reduce waste, embrace clean energy, and restore forests. Stars of the music industry are also using their platforms to push for better environmental initiatives. While these small actions aren’t usually making headlines, they are worth noting. There’s no doubt that the award show is has a strong influence and can be a powerful catalyst for change. As industries come together to work towards mitigating climate change, it’s always important to highlight the right things that are being done to have a positive impact on the environment and create a sustainable future.
