Golf courses are often criticized as water hogging playgrounds for the rich but in many instances they provide a protected area for native vegetation to flourish, protect the habitat of animals, and occupy space that if sold to a developer would be rows of cookie cutter houses. With that said, many golf courses are not designed, or managed, with the environment in mind and are treated with tons of chemicals, include way too much turf area, and are overwatered to meet the idealistic expectations of customers who want the PGA experience.

Through the Golf & The Environment program developed by Audubon International, the PGA of America, and the United States Golf Association, the organization is working to raise the level of environmental stewardship at courses around the country. For a list of eco-friendly courses, view the Audubon Certified Golf Courses list here (pdf).

Golf & The Environment website

Full disclosure: Until about a year ago I would have categorized myself as an avid golfer. Though I didn’t start playing until college, I worked at a course in the summer, did a market research internship for one of the leading club manufacturers, and spent a great deal of time practicing and playing on beautiful courses in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and even in Cannes, France.

From t-shirts to energy bars to ice cream, customization of once-standard products is on the rise. Design a Tea allows customers to work through a very simple online form to create the perfect hot beverage and the extra ambitious can even customize the package for that extra touch of “specialness”. If off-the-shelf is more your speed, don’t fret, you can pick from a selection of signature blends that require no extra decision making.

The company uses recycled paper products, environmentally-friendly inks, and organic tea whenever available.

Design a Tea

Seventeen men were rescued by Brazilian authorities after having been subjected to slave-like conditions while working for Brenco, a biofuel company that produces ethanol. Investors in the company include Bill Clinton, Vinod Khosla, and Steve Case, former CEO of AOL.

The workers were forced to sleep on wet mattresses under a leaky roof, not fed appropriate amounts of food, and had to make do without toilet paper or soap.

Story from Brazzil Magazine

The National Wildlife Foundation is finally going big time, signing its first AOR (agency of record) with visions of cross-platform consistency, brand portfolio synergies, and all of the other niceties that go along with a $40 million cause marketing budget and an agency to help spend it.

A large component of the campaign will be to expand the brand into the online world and improve the marketing of its long-running educational programs.

Story from DMNews

That gem was delivered in a story this weekend in the Arizona Republic about the increasingly proactive role of churches in the green movement. Parishioners are taking the encouragement and running with it; setting up teams to conduct energy audits, spending more time in nature (no small task in the Arizona heat), and practicing a generally “greener” lifestyle.

Story from the Arizona Republic

It sure didn’t take new owner Coke long to throw its marketing and distribution resources behind Honest Tea. Having just spent $43 million for a 40% stake in the 10 year company, Coke is taking Honest Tea mainstream.

No longer confined to health food store shelves, Honest Tea is hoping to gain a wider following with consumers looking for a healthier thirst quencher. To support the effort, the company is introducing four new flavors, revamped packaging, and a nationwide sampling tour.

Story from Brandweek

Calling all tree huggers under the age of 18. If you doing your part to make a difference, and want to broadcast your good deeds to the world, Whole Foods has a spot for you on YouTube. Just create a video under two minutes in length and upload it to the contest site. Winners will be featured leading up to Earth Day and winners will be featured in upcoming Whole Earth Generation podcasts.

Whole Earth Generation on YouTube

In a move that has automakers dancing in their cubes, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has slashed the quota for the number of zero emission vehicles that must be sold. The move is expected to ripple through other states who look to CARB as a thought leader in the space and generally follow its lead.

The change means that automakers now must sell just 7,500 zero emission vehicles (electric and fuel cell) in the 2012-2014 timeframe. This is down from the 25,000 vehicle mark established in 2003.

Story from Reuters

A member of the Canadian and U.S. Green Build Councils, Arxx Green Build Systems develops walls and foundations that can save homeowners up to 50% on heating and cooling costs. Arxx walls feature a solid concrete core which eliminates cold spots common in conventional builds and greatly reduces the amount of air infiltrating the house from the outside.

In addition, Arxx walls are more fire resistant, quieter, and stronger than conventional wood frame walls.

Arxx Green Build System

In the land of exotic cars and supersize SUVs, how would a six foot three male fare in the diminutive Smart? Author Tom Vanderbilt from Men’s Vogue was up to the challenge and was met with good cheer and a couple of opportunities see just how quick the tiny car is when pushed to street racing a Beemer.

Of course, there are always a few whippersnappers in the crowd and Tom was subjected to lame jokes such as “Did that come in a cereal box?” and “I’ve seen toy cars bigger than that”.

Most importantly, by the end of the review period, Tom had revised his notions of automotive masculinity and turned the attention directed his way into a social opportunity.

Story from Men’s Vogue