ADame Dead, a member of the indie pop group AJR and an environmental advocate, received the Earth Award on October 9 at the TIME100 Next Gala in Manhattan. An annual event honoring emerging leaders around the world, TIME’s Earth Awards highlight individuals working to solve the climate crisis.
Mitt was honored for his work as founder and executive director of the nonprofit Planet Reimagined, which advocates for a plan to reuse oil and gas land for renewable energy sources. Mitt holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a doctorate degree focused on large-scale renewable energy projects.
Wearing a green velvet jacket befitting his work promoting a greener planet, Mitt said his favorite part of working on climate change issues was bringing people together from all different backgrounds. “The climate crisis will not be solved just by scientists. The problem will not be solved by communications alone. The problem will not be solved by musicians alone –Absolutely not Only it will be solved by the musicians. But everyone plays a vital role.”
Pointing to the audience as he held his award, he added: “I see myself and all of us as just getting started on this project. This is not the end of something. This is just the beginning of something I hope we can all work on together.”
The award was presented by fellow musician Kat Graham, a 2024 TIME100 Next Award winner for her refugee rights activism. Graham, who is also an actress known for her work The Vampire Diariespraised the Met for “using its access to get into the right room” and “talking to the right people”.
At the 2023 TIME100 Next Gala, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer accepted the Earth Prize for his work on an investment platform aimed at accelerating climate solutions and for his efforts to encourage youth voter turnout. Previous Earth Prize winners include actor Mark Ruffalo, actress Jane Fonda, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The TIME100 Next Gala is presented by Toyota, Discover Puerto Rico, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey and FIJI Water.
