Reduced emissions, increased fuel efficiency and the first car manufacturer to get their fuel cell vehicle on the road are buzz in the “Green Car” category at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show. As it should be. With more consumers desiring to purchase highly efficient and low impact “green cars” the industry is really beginning to show major moves in this direction.

This years auto show reveals this to be true as many important models in popular classes consumers are buying are now being produced with hybrid engines (gasoline-electric). In fact all 5 nominees for the 2008 “Green Car” title are all hybrids. Chevy is now making their Malibu mid-size and Tahoe SUV with a hybrid engine, both in contention for the “Green Car” of the year. Other contenders are the Mazda Tribute SUV Hybrid, the Nissan Altima Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

Fuel cell cars are the next giant leap in the automotive industry. Honda’s FCX Clarity pictured above is the next generation of the companies fuel cell vehicles. The BIG NEWS is they’re guaranteeing these cars will be released in 2008 (GO HONDA!). The FCX clarity comes with an advanced fuel cell “V Stack” engine with single hydrogen fuel tank powering the electric motor and the best part is it puts out 0 emissions.

Honda plans to lease this low slung eco-champion to a limited number of retail consumers in Southern California as soon summer 2008. They will launch the FCX clarity with a 3 year lease term with a price of $600 a month, including maintenance and collision insurance. You may be thinking where does one fill up a hydrogen powered car, but there is already stations in our nations 3 largest cities, New York, Los Angeles and D.C. For all the information on the FCX clarity visit World Honda.

Do you know of any other new or major green car developments?

We all know of the change a light bulb help the planet initiatives, but there is good reason behind them and the numbers may surprise you. If every home in the US replaced just ONE incandescent bulb with a low-E compact fluorescent bulb our nation could cut the emissions of greenhouse gases to the equivalent of 800,000 cars. We would save enough energy to light over 3 million homes a year and save over $600,000,000 in annual energy costs. That’s rather astounding don’t you think?

These energy saving bulbs do cost 350% to 500% more than traditional high energy use bulbs, but they use one fourth the energy and will last up to 7 years. In my eyes the $6.99 for a 3 pack of low-e 7 year bulbs at Home Depot is a much wiser buy. Although, many US consumers can’t seem to grasp the big picture as we are a nation of cheap consumers.

The majority would rather buy a cheap piece of junk that will last one year, toss it in a landfill and buy new the following year, which in the long run is costing them more. They only see the immediate out of pocket cost and for some reason can’t see how buying a quality good with the potential to last a lifetime is more cost effective.

Eco friendly bulbs have had there limitations, but this is all changing with some major new developments. Now CFs are available with dimming capabilities which has been a major consumer complaint about the bulb.This new development is so huge in the green design community that the 100% design exhibition in London featured Jason Bruges’ “electronic garden” centered around the worlds first fully dimmable energy efficient bulb. His exhibit won the inaugural award for innovative lighting design. Watch the video below to view the exhibit…

While watching TV this evening a commercial from esurance caught my attention regarding vehicle carbon emissions of all things. They’ve begun a highly commendable sponsorship of the “SOS movement for a climate in crisis” with fuel and emission saving tips. Including how a vehicle at idle for just 10 seconds puts out more CO2 emissions and uses more gas then shutting down and restarting your engine. Somewhere along the road of life I was told the opposite and this has stuck with me ever since. They point out the obvious car pooling and hybrid savings, but wowed me with disgust on how the “average” commuter spews 3.4 tons of CO2 a year.

Want to know how much carbon you’re putting into our atmosphere? You might just surprise yourself and make some changes to your lifestyle. Earthlab offers the most comprehensive carbon calculator available. It dives deeper into your lifestyle habits to give you more than just your carbon footprint. You can map out a plan of how to reduce your emissions, track your progress and even compare your score to your cities average. It only takes a few minutes to complete. Get your carbon score now using the earthlab carbon and lifestyle calculator.

It’s all green is pleased to be up, running and we are excited to begin writing and reporting on news, developments and controversial green issues worldwide. Cheers…