The Japanese company president Takanobu Ito recently revealed, “Honda has no future unless we achieve significant reduction in CO2 emissions. The next 10 years will be a true test for Honda’s survival.”

While there are no details as of yet about the news cars, Honda has stressed that using green technology is the only way they will survive the competition.

It’s time to upgrade your yoga mat to an even better eco-friendly version that just happens to be on sale at the moment.

Designed specifically for Pilates, this new eco-friendly yoga mat is the perfect solution for matwork excercises.  Made from TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer) foam, the Stott Pliates Mat is 100% recyclable and biodegradable and provides superior traction for those sometimes difficult balancing acts.

On sale at Amazon for $45.79.

Well, if you’re not happy with your current green sunscreen option, step on over to the award-winning Mexitan SPF 30 All Natural Biodegradable Eco-Friendly Sunscreen.

This completely all-natural sunscreen contains no harsh chemicals, and apparently is from a secret recipe of the natives of Acapulco.  Mexitan is water resistant and contains green tea to soothe and protect your perfect skin.  Cost, $18.

Tentatively named “Stephanie’s” the new chain would take advantage of green technology such as grass parking lots, rooftop garden areas, home delivery via electric cars and biodegradable cutlery.

The menu would of course feature healthier options compared with the Big Mac like “pork-and-sweet-potato kabobs, apple-cinnamon steel-cut oats and smoked-chicken sweet pea soup.”

The former McD’s gang hopes to open the first Stephanie’s in 2011.

As far as your game of golf, we know you’re keeping it green by walking the course with your eco-friendly golf bags, but what about what’s inside the bag?  How green are your golf balls?

Well, the Tempe company Dixon Earth wants to help you go even greener with a new eco-friendly golf ball that’s sure to turn heads.

As the game goes, a golf ball is usually lost before it wears out. Golf balls are traditionally made with metals like zinc, cobalt, plastic, lead and tungsten to add weight, and the ones that are lost or discarded continue to leak these metals into the environment wherever they lie. According to reports, when Scotland’s Loch Ness was dredged, almost 250,000 golf balls were found leaking heavy metals into the water, and getting into the water table over time.

Players, who don’t make a habit of losing the ball, are usually able to use a ball only for a few rounds, by which time it wears out. A worn out golf ball is only good for the trash, and takes a long time to break down in a dump. The new Dixon ball will hold good for four or five rounds depending on the player’s stroke and the course, say sources and what’s more, it can be recycled into other materials for further use.

Golf courses like the Ahwatukee Country Club, the Lake at Ahwatukee, Club West and The Dukes at Rancho El Dorado in Maricopa started to carry the Dixon Earth golf ball about a month ago.

Dixon is the first company to offer environmentally friendly golf balls, and also have golf bags made from recycled water bottles. The company’s commitment to saving the environment extends further – their packaging is made from recycled materials and the building Dixon uses is an environmentally friendly structure.

1. Use recycled and biodegradable plates, napkins and cups.
2. If you decide to send out invite, keep it green by doing an Evite or use recycled paper.
3. For decorations, why not turn those paper trash bags into some crafty projects?
4. Use an old sheets for tablecloths and why not try cloth napkins this year?
5. For food, why not make it to the farmer’s market for some sustainable and local fare?
6. Be sure to compost all the leftovers of the cookout!
7. Make recycling cans available during the party, so your guests know right where to put that glass bottle.
8. Try carpooling to the event or offer a party taxi.
9. Have any leftover decor from last year or an leftover plates so you don’t have to go out and buy some more?
10. Make a mental list during your party of all the things you can go greener on next 4ht of July!

But what would you expect from a car that can give you 74 miles per gallon?!

The British engineer finally unveiled his T.25 City Car, the Lilliputian runabout he’s spent three years developing. Although the 74-mpg T.25 and its T.27 electric sibling recall the microcars of post-war Europe, it’s quite advanced. Beyond using a tubular steel frame, composite materials and a canopy that opens like a Lamborghini’s doors, the T.25 will use a manufacturing process said to tremendously reduce capital, space and materials.

Many leading automakers are embracing compacts and subcompacts, which could comprise one-third of the U.S. market by 2013. But to say the T.25 is tiny is to say John Isner and Nicolas Mahut can play tennis. At just a hair over 4 feet wide and just shy of 8 feet long, it’s smaller than a Smart ForTwo or Toyota iQ yet can seat three.

A car that small opens up all kinds of possibilities in a congested urban setting. Parked nose to the curb, three will fit in a single space. With a turning radius of just under 20 feet, the car will almost literally turn on a dime. And the T.25 is so narrow you could drive two abreast.

Over at the Charlotte Observer I saw this handy dandy post on how to get your already green laundry even greener with a tip list for the most eco-friendly laundry loads.

From bleach alternatives to greener laundry detergents, take a peek at this green tip list and see where you rank!

Bleach alternatives

• For laundry, try a bleach alternative that uses oxygen to enhance the cleaning power of eco-friendly detergent.

• For whites, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your full load.

• Or presoak whites in a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 6 parts warm water. Let it sit overnight and then wash your clothes as normal. Don’t worry about smelling like a salad; the smell of vinegar disappears when it dries.

Greener detergents

When it comes to laundry detergent, it’s important to choose one that’s phosphate-free.

Excess phosphates in the water supply act as a supercharged fertilizer for algae. The resulting algae bloom depletes the available oxygen, choking the life out of the surrounding aquatic habitat.

It’s also a good idea to seek out vegetable-based detergents such as Seventh Generation, Method and even Martha Stewart. Many conventional laundry detergents are petroleum-based, which means they are made in part from crude oil.

Fabric softener

Here’s a dirt-cheap green fabric softener. Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or the fabric softener dispenser. It’s nontoxic, and your clothes will come out of the dryer softer because vinegar’s acidic properties help dissolve any soap residue left on your clothing. This is also a great solution for anyone who suffers from laundry-detergent allergies.

Don’t forget the basics. Don’t use more detergent than you need. Wash only full loads of laundry and with cold water. Making the switch to the cold cycle will save about $60 a year on your power bill because you’ll be giving the hot water heater a break.

Finally, when it comes time to replace your old washing machine, buy one with the government’s Energy Star rating. These models use the least amount of water.

Even with the 2012 World Cup games currently going on, countries are already lining up to bid for the 2022 games.

The country of Qatar has officially placed their bid for the 2022 World Cup, citing their new solar powered stadiums as one of the many reasons for their country to host the worldwide soccer competition.

Eleven countries submitted bids for the 21st and 22nd World Cup, and the Qatar bid, which we saw over at Designboom this morning, is the first ever from a Middle Eastern country. If they win the bid, Qatar would build three brand new stadiums and update two existing ones in order to host the games.

Oops!  In the throws of summer you sorta forgot to get a Father’s Day gift, didn’t you?  Well, never fear, we’re here!  Take a peek at our Ten Last-Minute Eco-Friendly Father’s Day Gift Ideas and you’ll be well on your way to bringing more smiles to your pop’s life!

1. Make your dad a coupon book out of recycled paper.  Anything from a free back rub to mowing the grass is a great idea!
2. How about breakfast in bed this weekend?  That’s always a great idea to start the day off right.
3. Baking!  Make some organic cookies or cakes and your dad will certainly be appreciative!
4. How about taking your dad on a Geocaching trip or Letterboxing hike?
5. Clean those gutters for the dad in your life.
6. How about a photo shoot of all the people in his life?
7. If you’re far away from home, Skype is always a great idea and one that your father will love.
8. A trip to a state park is one our our favorite pastimes.
9. A homemade card using recycled paper will bring a smile to your daddy’s face.
10. A big ole hug is the perfect eco-friendly Father’s Day gift!