• Combatting ‘greenwashing’ . As small, socially responsible businesses gain attention, some large corporations start to take notice, and in some cases take over (See, for example, Ben & Jerry’s, Tom’s of Maine and Burt’s Bees.) To help companies maintain their morals in the face of corporate takeovers, and to attract socially responsible investors and consumers, a nonprofit called B Lab has created B Corporation, where the ‘B’ stands for beneficial (to the business, public and environment). — World Changing

  • ‘Greenwashing’ Part 2.  High tech marketing firm Strategic Oxygen says all technology companies are struggling with the sustainability challenge. To compete in the serious sport of environmental posturing, many tech companies declare green manifestos and adopt stopgap sustainability measures to diminish public criticism and gain consumer support. Strategic Oxygen says they haven’t taken sustainability seriously enough. — Greenbiz

  • GE Food. The Soil Association has published a report reviewing the last ten years’ research on GE crop yields. It reveals that the yields of all the major GE crop varieties in cultivation are lower than, or at best, equivalent to, yields from non-GE varieties. The report firmly puts to bed biotechnology industry claims that GE crops are needed in order to ‘feed the world’. — Greenpeace

  • Planet Slayer. The ABC has launched a kid’s information and games site which offers “the dirt on greenhouse without the guilt trips. No lectures. No multinational-bashing (well, maybe a little…). Just fun and games and the answers to all your enviro-dilemmas.” — Planet Slayer

Have you spotted a thought provoking news article or blog post on the state of the planet? Share it with other Crikey readers by sending the link to  boss@crikey.com.au