Though it seems like something out of an episode from The Simpsons , the Cooline vest is an actual product. The German company put out a press release citing projections of global warming increasing the temperature by two degrees, and touts a vest that evaporates sweat as the answer for personal protection.

That's right, global warming might kill you, so you had better by a cooling vest. Per the press release:

"According to one study from the Kiel Institute for World Economics (IfW) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the number of heat deaths would increase by 5,000 to 15,000 per year if adaptation measures are not taken."

These groups probably meant don't drive so much or turn off the lights as a counter measure, not buying a vest to protect from overheating.

Microsoft has put together a green business micro site in conjunction with the Live Earth concert and Office Live business initiative.

The site is an obvious attempt to cash in on the green awareness by pitching online advertising and business solutions that don't have much to do with being green. There are a few tips about how to green your office, but mostly it is a marketing vehicle only.

That companies are looking for anyway possible to tie their marketing to sustainability is a mixed blessing. Companies are taking small steps towards being more sustainable, and every bit of energy efficiency helps their bottom line and everyone else. It also brings more attention to the issues involved. But attaching the word green to unrelated marketing activities can be a turn off for consumers and cheapens the activities of those who are offering sustainable products and services.

A new company is putting a green spin on children's classic toys. Toy sets for making tea, cooking and playing in the sand will be made from bioplastic that uses corn and other natural materials as a base, according to Green Toys. Green Toys is launching the new line of toys at the San Francisco International Gift Fair this week. Per the company, the sustainable materials are provided by Cereplast, and the biodegradable colorants are from PolyOne. Pricing for the toys has not been announced.

Biomaterials are being used extensively in car interiors and packaging, and tots' toys is a natural fit since they inevitable chew on and often ingest parts from the toys. Rising prices for petroleum products will make sustainable products more cost competitive, but then again, ethanol is making corn more costly as well.

Last week Toyota said it would begin testing plug-in hybrids in Japan, and now the company is working with the University of California at Berkeley on real-world driving tests.

The California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., UC Irvine and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will also participate in the research.

Researchers will study user behavioral response - including recharging and refueling patterns - to PHEV technology, and conduct technical energy use and environmental and economic assessments.

Recharging your car battery frequently does require a change in behavior, so it will be interesting to see how quickly the test subjects adapt.

Toyota will also make the manufacturing plant in Japan where they produce the Prius more sustainable by:

Reducing CO2 by using renewable energy, including biomass and natural energy sources, such as solar power and wind power Contributing to the local community and conserving the environment by planting trees at plant Achieving groundbreaking environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and kaizen (improvement) activities.

However, the environmental group Freedom From Oil took Toyota to task in a statement:

“While we are encouraged that Toyota is putting the first consumer class plug-in hybrids on the road, we are surprised that they are not maximizing the potential of plug-ins. By testing with sub-optimal battery technology that provides an all-electric cruising range of only eight miles, Toyota is overlooking existing plug-in prototypes that have batteries capable of significantly better performance.

This refers to nickel metal hydride batteries currently used in the Prius, as opposed to the more advanced lithium ion batteries that several other companies are experimenting with.

From from FFO:

"Today’s step forward on plug in hybrids is contradicted by Toyota’s continued involvement in the lawsuit against California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from tailpipes. Toyota should shift its resources away from fighting California’s clean air legislation and toward mass-production of these road-ready cars that would easily meet California’s mandate."

This is an odd one. Toyota has joined a lawsuit that against a new law that limits greenhouse gas emissions, but its cars already exceed the requirements. Toyota is acting out of solidarity with other auto companies when it has nothing to gain.