About Leona's car

Leona Dombrowsky drives a Toyota Prius, a second-generation hybrid vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with the clean efficiency of an electric motor. The result is a car with greatly improved fuel efficiency along with a huge reduction in harmful emissions.

"We have to take steps now to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," says Leona. "As an elected representative, I am committed to leading by example."

Leona notes that there are approximately 740 million cars and trucks in service in the world today, and that number will increase as the economy of China continues to grow. Motor vehicles produce only 17 per cent of carbon dioxide -- the greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming -- but the actual production of energy through fossil-fuelled generating plants produces 41 per cent.

Hybrid cars like Leona's will help reduce those figures by delivering double the fuel efficiency of a similar gasoline-engine compact, and 60 per cent less harmful emissions.