UO E-clips, Jan. 8

New Web site to target greenwashers (Business Green, UK): Firms guilty of overstating their green credentials can expect to face fresh criticism following the launch of a new website that provides consumers with an opportunity to evaluate the green claims made in companies' adverts. The Greenwashing Index has been launched by US marketing agency EnviroMedia Social Marketing and allows users to post adverts and then rate them against a set of greenwashing criteria. The criteria, which were developed in conjunction with the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, cover whether the ad uses misleading words or graphics, makes vague or unprovable claims, overstates a product or services' green credentials or leaves out relevant information.

A Way to Rate Green Claims (U.S. News & World Report): A new website that offers consumers the opportunity to evaluate advertisers' environmental claims has debuted just as the Federal Trade Commission begins a series of public workshops addressing the rising industry of carbon offsets and related advertising. The site www.greenwashingindex.com was created through a partnership by EnviroMedia Social Marketing and the advertising faculty of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. The site invites consumers to post advertisements and then offer their own assessments of the credibility of the message. On its first day, several commercials were posted, including two from BP and one touting the Lexus Hybrid. One BP commercial features a farmer (or an actor who plays one on TV) marveling at his ability to turn crops into ethanol that would fuel his equipment. The ad then highlights the fact that ethanol could lower greenhouse gas emissions. The person who posted the ad noted that BP was "hedging" by using the word "could." On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being a "good ad" and 5 being "total greenwashing," the ad received a grade of 3. The index was announced at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Bali last month. "We've been witnessing a tidal wave of green advertising over the past year," said EnviroMedia President Kevin Tuerff. "It's our hope the Greenwashing Index will help eradicate bad environmental marketing claims and, at the same time, shed a positive light on companies making measurable reductions in carbon emissions related to climate change."

Oregon to hold inaugural baseball camp for high school-age players (Associated Press): University of Oregon baseball coach George Horton and his staff will host the Ducks' inaugural prospect camps for high school-age players in February. The Feb. 9-10 session will be followed by a camp designed for pitchers and catchers. The cost per session is $125. Oregon is dusting off its varsity baseball program after having abandoned it many years ago. Horton and assistants Jason Gill and Andrew Checketts will be joined by top coaches from Oregon high schools and community colleges at the camps.

For clarity in pricing (Register-Guard, editorial): When people buy a new car, they can look at the sticker on the window to see not just the base price but also the cost of options, delivery and licensing. Students ought to be able to expect the same level of clarity when they register at an Oregon university. They deserve to be given a total price up front, with no surprises to be sprung later. Last week the state Board of Higher Education voted to ensure that students get such transparency. The board, acting at the request of the Oregon Student Association, voted to roll most fees in with tuition, so that students are presented with a single price tag upon registration. This type of no-surprises pricing is needed because special fees have proliferated on Oregon campuses -- the association says their number increased to 75 this academic year from 18 in 2000-01.