Well, it looks like we're all screwed.

The week began with a report claiming that oil supplies have already peaked and we face a future of soaring energy prices and economic depression, and ended with the UN telling us that "humanity is at risk" due to climate change, the devastation of biodiversity and serious resource shortages. Just the kind of cheery stuff you want to read on a Friday afternoon.

Not to make light of these serious predictions of impending doom, but thankfully many within the green business movement remain remarkably upbeat about our chances of tackling this crisis.

One such figure is Dale Vince, chief executive and founder of green energy provider Ecotricity, who joined us for BusinessGreen's inaugural Eco-Entrepreneur podcast. Vince is hardly a conventional businessman, but that has not stopped him building one of the UK's most successful green companies. You can find out how he did it, what he plans for the future and why he holds consultants in such low regard by listening in.

Thankfully Vince is not alone in his ambitious expansion plans and this week saw a raft of announcements underlining the rapid acceleration of the green business movement.

At one end of the scale the gargantuan GE pledged to plough $1.5bn into the development of green products, French president Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled plans for a massive green overhaul of the entire French economy, and the US said it was seriously considering putting a solar farm in space.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale vegetable box company Abel & Cole outlined plans for a big expansion drive, Cambridge company CamSemi detailed its ambitions for taking its innovative power saving technology into the consumer electronics mainstream, and Via Post explained how a combination of the internet and clever processes could green the humble letter.

Those companies not at the cutting edge of environmental best practices were also provided with yet more evidence as to why they should get on board with one study insisting strong CSR practices are an indicator of good financial performance and another insisting green credentials help you hang on to your best staff (If you are keen to use green initiatives to keep staff happy Amy Sims has got some tips on how to do it).

Despite the government's best efforts, perhaps we're not done for just yet.

Cheers,

James