Global Green USA raised awareness for eco-conscious living through its 12th Annual Pre-Oscar Party.

Last Wednesday, it was easy being green: Global Green USA, an organization dedicated to building a more sustainable future, hosted its 12th Annual Pre-Oscar party at AVALON Hollywood. Stars walked the green carpet—presented by the all-new 2016 Next Generation Chevrolet Volt—to share their personal tips for a greener future.

Other sponsors included Ashley Morgan, Bently Enterprises, Chantecaille, Turf Terminators, Energy Upgrade California, Defiant Whiskey, DeLoach Vineyards, Lux & Eco, One & Only Resorts, Naturepedic, Pureology, and VEEV Spirits.

Amy Smart attends Global Green USA’s 12th Annual Pre-Oscar Party at AVALON Hollywood on February 18, 2015.

“It’s nice to have a green-conscious event in the middle of award season,” said the uber-talented Amy Smart. “It brings the awareness back to what matters.”

Smart was one of many celebs to show support—and draw attention to—Global Green USA’s ongoing efforts to find and harness smart solutions to climate change and encourage green lifestyle choices around the world. Ashley Greene, newly engaged Maggie Grace, Missi Pyle, Billy Zane, Matt Walsh and Cheryl Tiegs, among others, helped raise awareness that night (and looked fabulous doing it).

Missi Pyle attends Global Green USA’s 12th Annual Pre-Oscar Party at AVALON Hollywood on February 18, 2015.

“You don’t have to go crazy,” said Missi Pyle. “Just be mindful. Buy at thrift stores, shop locally-owned, even something as small as not showering every day makes a big difference. It’s the little things.” Later in the Volt lounge, she shared that her whole outfit was vintage, right down to her clutch purse, and I for one couldn’t be happier—I thought her look was the best of the night!

Theo Von and Ashley Greene attend Global Green USA’s 12th Annual Pre-Oscar Party at AVALON Hollywood on February 18, 2015.

The pre-Oscar party was co-hosted by Ashley Greene and Theo Von, whose witty banter kept everyone entertained. Guests were treated to a delish dinner and rocked out to performances by acoustic guitarist Makana and Common, who gave an exciting performance of his Oscar-nominated song “Glory.” They also partied the night away to DJ sets by KCRW’s Jason Bentley and DJ Syrena.

Image: Laura Klein

Finally, guests received stunning gift bags from Lux & Eco that included swag from Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, Branch Basics, Schmidt’s Natural Deoderant, Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss, Jax Coco coconut water, Sustain Condoms, Waterfall Tea Company, EcoTools, Muse School CA, Coco Eco, Pureology, and Makana’s new album “Twenty Fine.”

Les McCabe, Global Green USA President and CEO said it best: “It’s the small steps everyone takes cumulatively that make a huge impact on the environment.” It’s no wonder this event grows by leaps and bounds every year—and thanks to this organization, we are too.

You can check out all of the amazing things Global Green USA is up to by visiting their website.

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Celebrity Images: Getty Images for Global Green

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Al Gore taught us just what high profile people can do to further the green movement. If stars and top models can sell wrinkle cream, they also can sell hybrids, lower fuel emissions and green school initiatives.

Global Green USA is harnessing that star power, hosting its sixth annual Pre-Oscars party at the Avalon in Hollywood. Sheryl Crow and Gavin Rossdale (lead singer from Bush) will perform and heavy hitters like Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Kate Bosworth, Marisa Tomei and Penelope Cruz will walk the green carpet. It’s all designed to raise funds and awareness about improving the efficiency and conditions of schools in ailing New Orleans and elsewhere.

“This is the launch of our national initiative to raise $3 million in the next five years for on the ground projects and educational awareness,” Matt Petersen told me. Petersen, the president and CEO of Global Green USA, says good light and indoor quality in the classrooms results in fewer missed school days and higher test scores. The Andrew Wilson Elementary School in New Orleans is among the green models of the initiative, as pictured in the rendering below.

In 2004, Global Green launched The Green Schools for Southern California Initiative, partnering with the L.A. Unified School District and other government entities to build more than 34 new schools. The New Orleans effort – which also includes affordable housing (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been big backers) – targets a new, greener Big Easy that returns students and teachers to vastly healthier learning environment. Petersen figures the schools can save an average of $40 thousand per year by converting to better energy systems.

“Green building and sustainability forces us to take a holistic view and see how everything is connected,” he says. “For too long, a stovepipe mentality has driven an over-specialization with everything.”

Certainly, Hollywood’s film icons are part of the holistic picture. Petersen (second from left in group photo, above) says he has been fortunate to work with motivated, educated and informed people – who just happen to also be big names. Petersen even sends his celeb board members to the Academy Awards in hybrids to really drive home the message. “Whether it’s Leo or Brad or Salma Hayek, they help in the continuation of our efforts to combine real substantive work with shining lights on the solutions,” Petersen explains.

The party tickets range from $125 for general admission to $2500 for the exclusive patron level – swhere I imagine most of the stars will be sipping their green drinks and making Oscar predictions.

(Photo credit: Global Green USA, Leonardo DiCaprio, top; 2007 pre-Oscar party group.)

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