For the third consecutive year, environmentally aware Oscar® nominees and presenters used Toyota hybrid vehicles for the awards show transportation. Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Orlando Bloom, Salma Hayek, and Morgan Freeman were among the celebrities who arrived at the red carpet in Toyota Prius hybrid cars and Highlander Hybrid SUVs. The effort to raise awareness of greener transportation through association with Hollywood star power was themed "Red Carpet/Green Cars".

In addition to the awards ceremony, celebrities got hybrid star treatment to other events: the Independent Spirit Awards for independent filmmakers; the Costume Designers Guild Awards, which recognize work in film, television, and commercials; and Rock the Earth, a musical benefit event supporting Global Green USA.

Some of the Prius "rides" were especially animated this year, sporting graphics from the past year's best examples of feature film animation: Shrek 2, The Incredibles, Shark Tale, and The Polar Express. The theme line "Good. Clean. Fun." was an added touch, reflecting a second use for the Prius "animation specials": being driven to K-12 environmental information events by Los Angeles Unified School District environmental educators.

Mixing environmental messages with entertainment has proven to be an effective vehicle to move adults and children toward taking better care of the Earth.

Oscar® is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences does not sponsor or endorse, nor otherwise is affiliated with, this newsletter release or the above-referred products.