George and Richard

Seeing as Richard Branson yesterday pledged a predicted $3bn dollars of profits from his air and rail interests over the next 10 years towards investment in new environmentally-friendly biofuel businesses, will George Monbiot take Mr Branson off his 'greenwash' list? Not likely. Firstly, according to George and many in the environmental lobby, Richard's airline interests (not to mention his plans to expand into space) will still massively contribute towards global warming. Secondly, can the environmental lobby grit its teeth and endorse an initiative which seems to arise out of Mr Branson's desire to make even more profits? Finally, the effects of large-scale production of biofuels on the planet's biodiversity aren't without controversy.