ReZoom

Credit cards are working to offer rewards that appeal to the tree-hugger in all of us. We here at ReZoom ask, ''What took so long?''It appears that some of the country's biggest credit card issuers have stumbled upon the idea of offering rewards that appeal to customers' environmental concerns.

Wells Fargo is the first major issuer to make "green" rewards available to cardholders. For 5,000 points (or $5,000 spent in consumer credit), cardholders can support 6,000 kilowatt hours of green power. For 10,000 points (or $10,000 in consumer credit), cardholders can support the development of enough green power to offset about seven tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

"By adding a twist of green to our program, we are making it easier for our customers to make eco-friendly choices and helping raise awareness about environmental issues," said Nancy Beaver, Wells Fargo Card Services vice president of customer marketing.

Not to be outdone, Bank of America announced last March that, as part of a planned ten-year, $20 billion initiative, it plans to make available a special eco-friendly credit card at some point during the next year. The card will match every dollar spent by a customer to "a contribution to an environmental organization to invest in greenhouse gas reduction products."

In the meantime, representatives said, BofA's WorldPoints Rewards program allows cardholders to donate money to environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation or redeem them for environmentally friendly merchandise. This part of the plan is still in the works: After three months, BofA has made the donations available, but cardholders will not find any environmentally friendly merchandise amid the dozens of available gift cards and iPod speakers.

"Bank of America is aware that when you promise ‘environmentally friendly merchandise' you need to back that up with a rigorous analytical approach," said Truman Semans, director of markets and business strategies for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, which has been working with Bank of America through Pew's Business Environmental Leadership Council since October of 2006. "I think it only makes sense that they roll these products out when they're ready."

Citigroup has launched a series of environmental projects as well, beginning with a much-ballyhooed $1 billion contribution to the Clinton Climate Initiative last May. The New York-based financial services company also plans to include green rewards for its customers' credit cards, including offers of compost systems and furniture made from recycled milk cartons. Details, however, remain forthcoming.

At ReZoom, one of the ways we want to help build a better world is by being kinder to the earth. Check in for regular tips and ideas on making your life and home more environmentally friendly.