From Ashes to Action: The 2025 EMA IMPACT Summit in Los Angeles

Event details

Organizer: Environmental Media Association (EMA).
Event: 9th annual IMPACT Summit.
Dates: May 8–9, 2025.
Location: Pendry West Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Focus: climate solutions, wildfire recovery, sustainability, and environmental leadership.
Media passes are limited.
More information: green4ema.org.

Theme

Day 1 centers on the Los Angeles wildfires and community recovery. The summit frames the fires as a call for stronger, more sustainable systems. The event aims to connect destruction with transformation.

Speakers and participants

Miranda Cosgrove
Jenna Dewan
Sosie Bacon
Scoot McNairy
Lance Bass
Phil Rosenthal
Diana Thater
Drew Scott
Dr. Crystal Dilworth
Fionnghuala “Fig” O'Reilly
Talib Visram
Kevin Nealon
Debbie Levin, EMA CEO

Highlighted panels

Panel	Details
From Fire to Future: Creative Loss	MOCA artist Diana Thater and Daniella Pineda discuss artworks lost in the fires and how creativity can support climate dialogue.
ClientEarth/Steadfast LA Panel	Drew Scott leads a conversation on sustainable rebuilding in Los Angeles.
Mission Unstoppable – STEM in the Spotlight	Miranda Cosgrove interviews female scientists including Dr. Crystal Dilworth and Fionnghuala “Fig” O'Reilly.
Hands Across Los Angeles	Jenna Dewan discusses volunteer and recovery efforts after the fires.
EMA Green Seal Panel	Talib Visram highlights productions recognized for sustainability, including The Last of Us and The White Lotus.
Wild Horses	Sosie Bacon speaks with conservationists about the role of wild horse sanctuaries.
Live Podcast: Naked Lunch	Kevin Nealon joins Phil Rosenthal and David Wild for a live taping.

Support and partners

Supported by Toyota Motor North America.
Supported by City National Bank.
Supported by Getty Images.
EMA also points to the EMA Green Seal in film production and youth-led momentum behind the Children’s Trust.

Quoted statement

EMA CEO Debbie Levin said, “Out of the unthinkable devastation comes an opportunity to sustainably and safely restore not just structures, but systems, mindsets, and communities.”