The consumer electronics industry is in a unique position to influence consumer thinking on environmental issues. After all, Americans spend ridiculous amounts of their work and leisure time in front of TVs and computers, so if the companies who make these products promote green living, we can’t help but take notice. 

One company that has been building up its green business is Royal Philips Electronics, which announced this week that it boosted the sales of its green products by 33 percent in 2007.

Green products accounted for 20 percent of the company's sales last year, compared to 15 percent in 2006. Most of the gains were in the consumer lifestyle category, where it saw a 91 percent increase in the sales of energy-efficient LCD TVs, which use 36 percent less energy than some of its closest competitors. Its green health care category also saw a 35 percent increase in sales, due to sales of energy-efficient MRI scanners and patient monitors.

Philips announced in September its goal of doubling green product sales to 30 percent of total revenue within five years as part of its EcoVision4 program. Philips also aims to increase the energy efficiency of its operations by 25 percent and double its investment in green innovations to EUR 1 billion in the next five years. By the end of 2008, the company hopes to outfit all of its offices with energy efficient lighting systems and that further reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions will be realized in production and distribution. Some of the other areas the company wants to go green include energy consumption, packaging, hazardous substances, weight, recycling and lifetime reliability.

Philips is just one of a growing number of consumer electronics companies that have made green programs a priority.

Earlier this week, a dozen major electronics manufacturers signed the 'Tokyo Declaration', a program designed to reduce global warming, and encourage the companies’ business partners and customers to participate in ongoing environmental initiatives. Sony, Nokia, Hewlett-Packard Co, Nike Inc, and Novo Nordisk are some of the companies sponsoring the program.

So, if you’re looking to upgrade your TV set this year it’s worth your while to do some research and support companies that are making an effort to develop products in an environmentally responsible way. It's one of those win-win-win deals, for you, them, and the environment.