Snowboard Makers Going Green

'Eco-friendly' products are selling even as consumer spending dwindles

(NEWSER) - Manufacturers of eco-friendly products are finding themselves in the green despite the sputtering economy, Advertising Age reports. One research company reports 458 launches of products that claim to be sustainable or environmentally friendly in 2009, a trend that—if it holds—would triple the number of green launches last year and more than double the number in 2007. More»

Writers often more into self promotion than self denial

(NEWSER) - Modern-day Henry David Thoreaus don't need to move to the woods for life to land a book deal. The push for green living has given us, unfortunately, no small number of gimmicky books on the subject, laments Michael Agger in Mother Jones. Temporarily living without plastic, eating only locally grown foods, and eshewing shopping are just a few of the quick tricks that have made it into print. More»

Americans rush to eco-friendly cleaners, but dangers remain

(NEWSER) - Americans are increasingly buying eco-friendly cleaning agents, the Los Angeles Times reports, in an attempt to limit exposure to toxic chemicals. But consumer advocates urge caution in embracing the “green” label on cleaners, which is more marketing lingo than strict scientific criteria. A recent study found a common carcinogen in 50% of household cleaners, including those with earth-friendly labels. More»

Separating the composters from the posers

(NEWSER) - As part of the annual America's Favorite Cities survey, Travel + Leisure readers ranked 35 metropolitan areas on a variety of travel-friendly qualities, from cleanliness to great public parks, which offset that urban asphalt and improve air quality. Without further ado, the top 20 greenest cities in America:

1. Portland: One-fourth of the city is shaded by tree canopy, and the ground itself features 288 parks—including the world’s smallest dedicated park, the 24-inch-long Mill Ends Park. Portland also ranked at the top of the survey for its mass transit and near the top for its groovy, offbeat locals, known for their DIY spirit and cycling culture.

Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle struck by tragedy

(AP) - Three people are dead and as many as eight missing after an avalanche today near a popular ski resort in Washington state, authorities said. The King County Sheriff's Office began receiving word about the slide near the Stevens Pass ski area just after noon, Sgt. Cindi West said. Stevens Pass is in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle. The deaths occurred in an out-of-bounds area near the resort, she said. Search and rescue crews and other emergency responders were at the scene. More»