Small Films With Big Messages Mean More Cars With a Conscience at the Red Carpet

Small Films With Big Messages Mean More Cars With a Conscience at the Red Carpet

Hollywood's Brightest Stars to Join Global Green's 'Red Carpet, Green Cars' Campaign to Promote Smart Transportation Solutions

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar(R) luminaries George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix, Frances McDormand and Jennifer Aniston are expected to clear the air at the 78th Annual Academy Awards(R) by arriving in low emission Toyota and Lexus hybrids. The clean, green message is a natural extension of this year's Academy Awards theme, for which such "movies with a message" as "Brokeback Mountain," "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Crash" are receiving top accolades.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060215/LAW064 )

The 2006 "Red Carpet, Green Cars" event marks the fourth year in a row that environmentally friendly hybrids and the non-profit environmental organization Global Green USA are promoting smart climate solutions for a healthier environment, and clean air for generations to come. Past participants in the effort included Jack Black, Orlando Bloom, Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Driving a high mileage, Advance Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) like the Toyota Prius or new Toyota Camry hybrid is just one way we can all pitch in to dramatically reduce emissions and conserve our natural resources. According to the California Air Resource Board, AT-PZEV rated vehicles are 90% cleaner burning than the average new vehicle. In addition, Toyota and Lexus Hybrids have already reduced fuel consumption by well over 100 million gallons since their introduction in 2000.

"We must embrace solutions that reduce our energy consumption and green house gas emissions today," said Global Green President Matt Petersen. "Vastly expanding the availability and use of fuel efficient, low emission hybrid cars is a critical step in stemming the growing crisis over the environment and climate change."

Since 1990, U.S. emissions have risen 12% (1). As a result, clean air is of growing concern among environmentalists, captains of industry and eco-conscious celebrities. Besides driving hybrid vehicles, other simple but effective ways to reduce pollution and protect the environment include installing Energy Star appliances and replacing incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs. Global Green also suggests carpooling, biking or using public transportation to get to work. By reducing driving habits as little as 15 miles a week, a single commuter can save the world 900 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution a year. These and other tips are available at http://www.globalgreen.org/.

About Global Green:

Global Green USA, the U.S. affiliate of Green Cross International led by Mikhail S. Gorbachev, works in cooperation with individuals, industry, and governments to create a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. Global Green and Leonardo DiCaprio were recently featured on the Oprah show to discuss smart climate solutions. For more information, or to join DiCaprio and others in signing Global Green's "Pledge of Allegiance to American Energy Independence," please visit http://www.globalgreen.org/.

To learn more about hybrids, please visit http://www.toyota.com/hsd.

(1) According to ClimateMaster.org

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060215/LAW064
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Global Green USA

CONTACT: Julie Nathanson, jnathanson@rogersandcowan.com, or Beth Morris,
bmorris@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers & Cowan, +1-310-854-8100, for
Global Green USA; or Kathy Kniss of Big Imagination Group, +1-310-204-6100,
ext. 21, kkniss@bigla.com, for Global Green USA; or Ruben Aronin of Global
Green USA, +1-310-612-5663, raronin@globalgreen.org

Web site: http://www.toyota.com/hsd

Web site: http://www.globalgreen.org/

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