Every year, Global Green - the American affilate of Green Cross International - hosts a party leading up to the Oscars.  This star studded preparty raises money and awareness on behalf of Global Green .

This year the 5th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party was held at the Avalon in Hollywood . The theme of this year’s event wass: “Time To Act -- Reduce your Carbon Footprint today: Drive Green, Live Green, Vote Green."

The event was emceed by Bill Maher and featured special performances by GRAMMY® Nominated artist Michelle Branch, Oscar nominated artists Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Once) with Damien Rice, Michael Franti, and other surprise guests.

The event raised $420,000 to benefit Global Green’s climate change initiatives including the green rebuilding of New Orleans. This election year, Global Green USA used the party to highlight their 2008 message of “Drive Green. Live Green. Vote Green.”

“Our homes and transportation represent the biggest opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint -- but the most important thing to green this year is our vote,” said Global Green CEO Matt Petersen. “The next President of the United States has the power to solve the climate crisis; they will only be successful if the public - and the media - demand action on climate change.”

Celebrity supporters in attendance included: Salma Hayek, Oliver Stone, Adrien Grenier, Sophia Bush, Dana Delany, Molly Sims, Josie Maran, Mia Maestro, Christian Slater, Governor Bill Richardson, Radha Mitchell, Ian Somerhalder, Jason Lewis, Alexis Arquette, Eric Mabius, Anna Getty, Bahar Soomekh, Tate Donovan, Esai Morales, Norman Lear, Julie Benz, Kevin Weisman, Lady Victoria Hervey, Leonor Varela, Mark DeCarlo, Tamara Mellon, Q’orianka Kilcher, Vanessa Branch, Walton Goggins, Elisabeth Rohm, Tia Carrere, Taylor Dane, Thomas Ian Nicholas and Kenneth Johnson among others.

The party featured the latest in green transport, including the Tesla Roadster electric vehicle and the Fisker Karma hybrid electric, as well as cutting edge green home products and design. The event also kicks-off Global Green’s Red Carpet/Green Cars campaign, where celebrities arrive at the Oscars in fuel-efficient vehicles instead of gas-guzzling limousines.