What you hear is true - the world’s demand for electricity is significantly increasing. This means that power generating technologies are being developed around the world. As a result, our planet may face major negative impacts in the near future as most of the electricity generated in the world today negatively effects the environment.

Thankfully, technology has also allowed the world to develop new ways of generating electricity through the use of renewable resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and others. The EcoLogo Program is supporting the use and development of renewable energy solutions by revising its standard for Renewable Low-Impact Electricity that will help reduce impacts on human health and the environment. read more

Findings from TerraChoice Environmental Marketing’s 3rd annual EcoMarkets Summary Report suggest “green” purchasing budgets will continue to rise and the current political administration in the United States will positively impact green spending.

Released last week, the EcoMarkets Report is an annual survey of green purchasing patterns across North America and was completed by more than 580 professional purchasers in the United States and Canada between April and July 2009.

Highlights from the study include: read more

The EcoLogo Program recently shared news that it has initiated its standard development process for toys. Today, the Program announced that the former CEO of FAO Schwarz, Edward Schmults is going to be working with EcoLogo to help make it easier for parents and grandparents to find “greener” products for the children in their lives. read more

Yes, you heard right. The EcoLogo Program recently announced that it has officially kicked off its first environmental standard for toys. By developing this standard for children’s products, the EcoLogo Program is making it easier for adults looking to buy “greener” products for the children in their lives. read more

Since the launch of the Seven Sins of Greenwashing report, TerraChoice has received many questions about what consumers can do to avoid being greenwashed.

Even though governments in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia discourage greenwashing, these efforts are clearly not enough.

If the good intentions of consumers and the environmental benefits of their choices are to be leveraged, consumers themselves must play a role.

Here are four ways consumers can make a real impact on greenwashing: read more

Last week, TerraChoice Environmental Marketing launched its 2009 Seven Sins of Greenwashing report, revealing that more products on store shelves are claiming to be green. However, don’t let those shampoo bottles and baby wipes fool you. Many of those ‘all-natural’ and ‘organic’ products are likely committing at least one of the Seven Sins (see below).

read more

A recent announcement by Samsung Electronics Canada is making the laundry room green (not your clothing, or course).

Samsung is giving away a year supply of environmentally preferable ATTITUDE fabric detergent with the purchase of a 27” Samsung washer and dryer.

Both Samsung and ATTITUDE are making large strides when it comes to the environment. Samsung has a full line of laundry products that are energy efficient and carry the Energy Star rating and ATTITUDE household products are the largest line of home cleaners in the world that are EcoLogo-certified. read more

A sample of EcoLogo certified products on display include:

BioSource’s Pet Stain Remover, EcoEthic’s Cream Cleanser, BioVert Dish Cleaner, Shampoo by Nature Clean, Oxibrite’s Toilet Cleaner, Attitude’s All Purpose cleaner, Zebra pens, Nana Essence shampoo and conditioner, Merchants of Green coffee, Cascades’s Bathroom Tissue and Paper Towel from Atlantic.

A modern model of an environmental home, the solar house combines construction materials with technological innovations to create a healthier living environment. Throughout the house, displays help visitors to discover ways to “green” their home.

The solar house was designed by students from McGill University, the Université de Montréal and the École de technologie supérieure for an international competition - the 2007 Solar Decathlon - in Washington, D.C.

Visit Environment Canada’s site for more information on this environmental project.

I found out recently that not only is Habitat for Humanity starting to build green, but Home Depot is helping them do it. Apparently the Home Depot Foundation is donating $30 million so Habitat for Humanity can “improve the efficiency and sustainability of its affordable homes.” Of course, eco-friendly building has multiple benefits. Quite apart from the environmental impact, green building products tend to be better for your health and better at keeping monthly energy costs down. The Habitat for Humanity/Home Depot announcement is fantastic news all around.

From the EcoLogo files, here are a few green building products for your own DIY projects.

Insulation
Nothing offers an easier route to energy savings than effective insulation. Check out the wide range of EcoLogo-certified insulation products from the Johns Manville company, including basic fiber glass insulation batts.

Sealant
Visit the Dutab website for sealants and construction adhesives that meet EcoLogo criteria. Both categories include requirements that products be manufactured with no toxic metals and contain no more than 5% volatile organic compounds (VOC) by weight.

Paint
The EcoLogo paint category includes a number of well-known paint brands including Benjamin Moore and Glidden. Planning to shop Home Depot? The store stocks a range of low-VOC Glidden paint products.

Phthalates have been a hot-button issue lately because of a study published in Pediatrics showing elevated phthalate levels in babies’ urine. This is a concern because phthalates, which are man-made chemicals, may alter reproductive development. (Yet another example of the convergence of environmental and health issues)

Not surprisingly a lot of the focus on phthalates has been on baby care products applied directly to babies’ skin – lotions, shampoos, powders, etc. However, that’s not the only place phthalates are found. I scanned some of the EcoLogo category criteria documents and discovered that phthalates are used in some floor care products – floor finishers, sealers, restorers, etc. It seems likely that this would have less of an effect on health given that floor care products aren’t generally absorbed through the skin. However, given a choice, I’d go for a floor care product without phthalates. Check out the EcoLogo-certified list.

One other note, phthalates are also used in some electronics, including, according to Wikipedia, the iPod.