Feeling a little skeptical about whether the green furniture industry can survive rising gas prices and the tough economy? We wrote about how the green movement has a bright future in theory, but numbers would certainly help reinforce a potentially contentious point. Environmental Leader has an interesting post summarizing a survey conducted by Yale and GfK Roper that suggests consumers still place plenty of importance on sustainability. Based on phone responses from over 2000 Americans, nearly 40% said they’d spend 15% more for green wood furniture. Even more tellingly, respondents appeared to show equal willingness to spend extra on eco-friendly furniture regardless of how strongly the economic pinch has affected them.

Sure, it’s only 2000 people, but it lends a little extra credence to the sentiment that going green is more than just a passing fad. The results also remind us that if we’re intent on going green with our school furniture and other purchases, it’s important to check the legitimacy of green certification labels. Look for more green certification programs to follow LEED®’s lead and opt for third party status to gain more credence among a growing group of consumers intent on making a tangible sustainable imprint on the Earth with their purchases.