How it’s green: Around the world, 25 percent of all insecticides and 10 percent of all pesticides are used on cotton. As much as 90 percent of these chemicals are absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water and eventually into our bodies. Study after study has made it painfully clear that children are especially sensitive to pesticide exposure. Neurotoxins in pesticides can attack immune systems, organs, brains and nervous systems.

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How it’s green: Made of organic wheat flour, organic evaporated cane juice, organic apples, organic whole wheat flour, organic corn starch, organic vital wheat gluten, organic dextrose, organic rice starch, sea salt, rice bran extract, organic honey, organic molasses, natural food color (vegetable juice extract), organic vanilla flavor.

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Two surveys released last week show that Americans are still thinking green, even amid an economy that’s left them with less of it in their wallets.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans support investing federal money in energy efficient school improvements, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans in late September by GfK Custom Research.

The survey, sponsored by United Technologies Corp. and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools, also found that about one-third of Americans considered U.S. schools to be in “poor shape”.

These results suggest taxpayers likely approve of the $25 billion green schools program contained within Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act. The plan would provide school districts money for energy and structural improvements that would save them electricity costs and free up money for teachers or supplies.

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ECO Erase conceals blemishes, dark circles around the eyes and other imperfections. With a subtle blend of Safflower, Jojoba, natural antioxidants and organic Castor Oil, ECO Erase ensures an even and soothing coverage. Apply lightly and gently to your skin using an applicator or sponge.

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The last thing many homeowners may be thinking about when they yank the plug on their gas-powered lawnmower is their contribution to global warming and poor air quality. But as more and more people attempt to lessen the environmental footprint they leave behind, one of the first areas they should take a look at is the lawn and garden equipment stashed in their garage. According to one study from the Environmental Protection Agency, one gas-powered mower emits as much air pollution in one hour as a car driven 100 miles. The same mowing session (or use of a gas-powered leaf blower and/or edger for an hour) releases as many hydrocarbons — a key component of harmful ground level ozone — as are released by a 1992 Ford Explorer driven 23,600 miles. Here is a list of some of the most popular models.

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How it’s green: Made of organic corn meal, organic concentrated grape juice, sea salt.

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How it’s green: You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. The EPA says under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. And properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

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This week Sprint launched its first Android-powered eco-friendly phone, the Samsung Replenish. The phone is partially built with recycled plastics and recyclable packaging making it the ideal choice for the environmentally conscious consumer who needs the latest technology. The touch QWERTY device will be offered with the first solar charging battery cover for a wireless phone in the United States. Replenish will also be enabled with Sprint ID which lets customers personalize their device instantly with eco-friendly focused apps and mobile content. It’s available in three colors: Onyx Black, Arctic Blue and Raspberry Pink.

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Frito-Lay's SunChips bag, made of Ingeo, is fully compostable.

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When it comes to rating its products with regard to sustainability issues, IKEA is about to start keeping score – literally.

The Sweden-based retailer plans to start rating its merchandise with a scorecard, part of an emphasis on marketing more sustainable products. The IKEA Sustainability Product Score Card rates items based on 11 criteria, including use of less material, energy efficiency in the production phase, use of recycled content and improvements in transportation efficiency.

The goal: IKEA wants 90 percent of its sales of home items to be classified as “more sustainable” by 2015, according to its own standards. To receive that distinction, products have to have more sustainability aspects than previous versions or comparable goods.

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Reusable shopping bags, which once seemed like such a no-brainer solution to the problem of proliferating plastic bags and single-use paper bags, became the focus of a micro-scandal late last year when some of the bags turned up with traces of lead in them.

These bags, which were apparently made in China and contained lead in the painted branding, were recalled or discontinued by most of the grocery stores involved. Wegman’s, Publix, Safeway and others stopped selling the offending bags.

But opponents of reusable bags — that is to say, plastic bag makers and their lobbyists – had a holiday. They declared the death of the reusable bag trend and decorated tree branches with discarded plastic bags to celebrate. (Calm down, I’m kidding.)

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Climate change seems to have fallen off the political map lately. But it remains the urgent issue of our time. Indeed, it is the issue that will determine “our time.”

Several books released this year reflect this reality. And yes, reading them can be grim going. There are no requisite Hollywood endings, only monumental problems, from the highest melting mountain glacier to the deepest toxic dung lagoon (the proverbial pile of poo) of the animal factories. There are rising oceans, onerous heat, desertification, walloping storms, vanishing forests and depleted soil — enough pestilence and disaster for a Bible update.

But weighted as they are with mind-boggling issues, and warnings that we must attend to our planet or veer into disaster by 2020 or 2030, they do offer hope, opening up new ways of thinking and illuminating pathways forward.

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