"[4] The very first EMA Awards took place in 1991 at which Diane Sawyer was host and Robert Redford was the keynote speaker.
[5] The 27th annual EMA awards were held in 2017 and hosted by Jaden Smith at the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Airport.
[8] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 30th Environmental Media Association’s awards ceremony in 2020 was held "virtually" via a livestreamed event.
[9] 2021 saw a return to a more traditional awards event, after the previous year's pandemic induced virtual one, and was hosted by Jeff Goldblum.
[10][11] At that ceremony Ed Begley Jr. received a lifetime achievement award, in part as recognition of his environmental activism.