SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- A competition sponsored by Steelcase, Net Impact, and GreenBiz.com asked students to submit socially and/or environmentally beneficial product or business ideas to win admission to this week's event. Here are the winning ideas.

Today we're confronted by crises that reach around the globe, connecting nearly every hut, home, village and megacity with the offices of commerce and every legislature, congress and parliament. If there were ever a time for a one-in-a-million idea, it would be now, writes Anthony Rubenstein, who is launching the Million Green Ideas Campaign.

At the University of California's Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society, scientists are developing thermometers that can reduce electricity demand by as much as a third, working to turn your cell phone into a traffic-monitoring device or a medical aid, and much more.

PARIS, -- As part of its Earth Day celebrations, the United Nations Environment Programme awarded six individuals and one NGO as 'Champions of the Earth' for their environmental endeavors.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- With concerns about water scarcity and quality on the rise around the world, a new study by the Artemis Project tracks down the top 50 companies developing market-ready innovations for water management, and singles out 10 for top accolades.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. -- The Environmental Defense Fund's latest Innovations Review report looks at 15 actions being taken by companies to reduce emissions, lower resource use and encourage sustainable behaviors.

The vehicle, a cross between a satellite and a spy plane, will float 65,000 feet above the Earth for 10 years, and will run on solar-charged fuel cell technology.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- The engineering giant plans to showcase a raft of new green technologies -- including smart metering buildings, rainwater harvesting, LED lights and more as part of development plans for the London 2012 Games.

GENEVA, -- The addition of patents from the printer and office products company Ricoh and engineering firm Taisei Corporation, as well as newly released patents from DuPont are the latest additions to the roster of green technologies made freely available.

STRATHAM, N.H. -- Timberland's fall collection will include 200,000 pairs of shoes made with Green Rubber, a material made primarily from reused car tires.

Earth2Tech and GigaOM's Green:Net 09 conference, happening March 24 in San Francisco, is a green IT conference that breaks the mold of all-IT all the time to look at how technology is the linchpin of many of the most promising green solutions.

TRENTON, N.J. -- The company that started off selling worm poop fertilizer in used soda bottles is rolling out collection bins at Home Depot, Petco, Best Buy and other stores to gather and reuse items like saw blades, pet food bags and paint brushes.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The fourth Compostmodern gathering brought together inspirational messages for why designers of all types must integrate sustainability into their work, compelling ways to rethink products and services, and real-world examples of designs that do good.