I continue to be amazed at the way consumer media and retailers have elected to respond to the credit crunch / looming recession / who knows what – i.e. instead of encouraging mature and thoughtful spending habits, we are being told to buy, buy, buy… just buy cheap. Shoppers need to remember that it’s only truly a bargain if you wanted it in the first place.

While I’m on my soapbox, I read a very interesting article about Marks & Spencer’s new eco/green/ethical factory in Sri Lanka – the factory will be used to manufacture bras and knickers for the UK clothing giant (which, btw, is having a not-so-giant year). It’s the world’s first 100% carbon neutral, green, ethical factory. It’s been buit in a rural area, to provide employment for the women there – without them having to move to the city. There’s no child labour. Women are paid more than a living wage. Each worker has a view of the outside, and not a drywall partition… Importantly, it’s also proving cost-effective to run. There’s no point in making the transition to organic goodies if it means forking out double the price. It has to make economic sense too. Read this, and be inspired.

A view of the new M&S eco factory in Sri Lanka

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2. Google’s Carbon Footprint
3. Women have an inflated sense of their own egos
4. “No-ternity” leave – back to work after a baby?
5. Salma Hayek – on bosoms, pelicans, bush…