Oscar Night Will Be Green With Concern - Not Green With Envy(Mostly)

Celebrities To Arrive At Oscar's Red Carpet In Alternative Fuel Vehicles

March 2003 (Newstream) -- Cameron Diaz, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins are just a few of the growing list of stars you'll see pulling up to the Academy Awards® in hybrids and electric vehicles instead of limos this Sunday.

Celebrities are known for their designer opulence on Oscar night, so why the conservation when it comes to what they'll drive?

Given the current state of global affairs, some of the biggest names in Hollywood are choosing fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, to demonstrate how each of us can take a simple yet powerful step to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels - including imported oil from the Middle East and elsewhere around the globe.

"Improving fuel efficiency and conserving energy is a critical part of creating a more peaceful and sustainable world," says Susan Sarandon. "Collectively, we have the power to make a shift, to make a difference, today."

"Accelerating the use of alternative fuel vehicles, such as hybrids or electric vehicles, not only helps consumers save money at the gas pump, it plays a significant role in addressing several of the major issues facing the US and the world today," notes Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA. "Whether it be the need to conserve natural resources, reduce air pollution, stem climate change, or reduce tension in the Middle East, changing how and what we drive can make a huge difference," he adds.

Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and other alternative fuel vehicles offer a cleaner, more efficient transportation solution. Hybrids get over 50 miles per gallon in the city and produce at least 5,600 fewer lbs of C02 emissions a year than the average vehicle.

While Oscar night is typically a backdrop for excess, this year it is also serves as a platform for environmental responsibility.

Global Green USA, the US affiliate of Green Cross International led by Mikhail S. Gorbachev, works in co-operation with individuals, industry, and governments to create a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. For more information, visit www.globalgreen.org.