Climate warning
Image of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Climate warning

Met Gala’s guests seem to have missed the point on the ‘Garden of Time’ theme altogether

The theme of the Met Gala 2024 was based on the dystopian story called ‘The Garden of Time’ written by J.G. Ballard. One can make a connection between the story and current environmental degradation and sustainability. However, the organizers of the Met Gala seem to have lost a big chance by doing nothing in terms of sustainability.
Was sustainability even a thought on their minds?
Was sustainability even a thought on their minds?

If the theme was sustainability-centric, it would have been great to see the Met Gala provide stricter guidelines on what the outfits of the guests could really be about. For example, they could have set a limit on the carbon emissions involved behind each outfit.
Instead, the guests at the Met Gala who wore the outfits seem to have completely ignored the environmental aspect of the theme. It seemed like The Met wanted to make a mark by choosing a ‘green’ theme but did not take the idea seriously themselves. The idea was well initiated, but not properly implemented.
An event such as this could have forced a lot of important and rich people to actually do something worthwhile, and not just a CSR afterthought. Climate change would start to matter to the privileged only when change is made on a grand scale and sustainability is treated like a real problem, and not a hobby that we can do on our own free time.
Learn more about the absurdity of theme and the interpretations behind the Garden of Time:


Do you agree?

20 more agrees trigger contact with the recipient

  • Ann Nyambura

    36 w

    Moving forward, it would be beneficial for the Met Gala to implement stricter guidelines to ensure that sustainability remains at the forefront of the event.

    • Kevin

      36 w

      The guests and celebrities definitely missed the point of this year's theme.

      • Munene Mugambi

        36 w

        In my opinion, the Met Gala's missed opportunity highlights celebrities' superficial engagement with sustainability. Despite the "Garden of Time" theme, their focus remained on spectacle over substance, revealing a disregard for genuine environmental action in favor of gaining publicity. It's a sham

        2
        • Kevin

          36 w

          @munene_mugambi This was definitely the sham of the year !

        • walter lungayi

          37 w

          The Met Gala's failure to align its theme with meaningful sustainability efforts is a missed opportunity to leverage its influence and resources towards driving impactful change. The event's lack of tangible measures to reduce environmental impact undermines the stated purpose and message. They can do more than this.

          3
          • Munene Mugambi

            36 w

            @walter_lungayi This is how you know this was being done for social media points, to stand out and who was best dressed. Not a single regard towards actual issues like climate change and or creating awareness of it.

          • George Kariuki

            37 w

            This is exactly why climate change feels so hopeless sometimes. The people with the most power and resources barely lift a finger.

            4
            • Munene Mugambi

              36 w

              @george_kariuki Indeed. And when they do, it is to suggest what people should do instead of them doing it first and hoping people will emulate their actions. Like the idea of using paper straws is fronted by many celebs while they tweet this from their private planes emitting more in one flight than the average human does in their lifetime.

              1
            • Gorffly mokua

              37 w

              The theme could have highlighted current issues of environmental degradation, but unfortunately the event fell short by neglecting to incorporate sustainable practices, undermining the potential impact of its message... ⚠⚠

              7
              • Vermeer Xie

                37 w

                It's a good choice of the theme. But how celebrities interpret the themes is worrying. The expression of clothes shouldn't just be about what color, fabrics, or sequences you are using but also include the social and environmental impact behind the scenes.

                9
                • Gorffly mokua

                  37 w

                  @ke_vermeer_xie Perhaps the celebrities needed clear interpretation for the theme..😎

                  1
                • Markus Lutteman

                  37 w

                  What a missed opportunity for the MET Gala to make a stand.

                  11
                  • Gorffly mokua

                    37 w

                    @Markus_Lutteman They still have a chance to redeem themselves, all is not lost!!

                    2
                    • Kevin

                      36 w

                      @Markus_Lutteman A chance to market the shift to green was lost

                    • Sarah Chabane

                      37 w

                      Nice! The Met definitely has the means and resources to do better than that

                      11

                      Watch all the Davos Hub content!

                      Broadcasts

                      Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts

                      We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime