Hollywood Throws 'Global Green' Pre-Oscar Party

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Salma Hayek, Oliver Stone, Bill Maher and Adrian Grenier were among the stars who toasted Hollywood's commitment to the environment at the 5th annual Global Green pre-Oscar party.

The event, held Wednesday at Avalon nightclub, featured earth-friendly furniture and lighting, organic cocktails and performances by Michelle Branch, Damien Rice and the Oscar-nominated stars of "Once,'' Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

Hayek, who serves on the local Global Green board, said she is more focused on environmental initiatives since becoming a mother. Her daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, was born last September.

"I get a bigger fear of what kind of world she's going to live in. Is she going to run out of water? What kind of water is she going to drink?'' the 41-year-old actress and producer said on her way into the party. "It's really scary and it's not that far away if we don't do something about it.''

The event raised $420,000 (euro285,016), said spokesman Ruben Aronin.

But does a big Hollywood bash not leave a sizable carbon footprint?

Yes, said Aronin, but it is worth it.

"As a fundraiser, the dollars that are raised are helping us dramatically to reduce carbon footprints across the country through our work to green New Orleans and create a green-building infrastructure here in Los Angeles,'' he said. "We have the unique opportunity here in Hollywood to use the megaphone of celebrity to inspire and educate hundreds of millions of people around the world.''

Global Green USA, the national branch of the worldwide environmental organization founded in 1993 by Mikhail Gorbachev, aligned itself with celebrities in a big way when it established its Red Carpet/Green Cars campaign five years ago. Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Tom Hanks and Susan Sarandon are among those who have opted to take fuel-efficient vehicles to the Oscar ceremony.

Brad Pitt is also involved with the group, working with Global Green to build sustainable housing in storm-ravaged New Orleans.

Global Green's Red Carpet/Green Cars effort will continue Sunday at the 80th Academy Awards.

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