Long gone are the days of disengaged consumers, whose allegiance is garnered merely through coupons and loyalty programs. Today’s customers are increasingly sophisticated and selective. They like to keep their finger on the pulse of the companies with which they have chosen, or are thinking of choosing, to do business. Does the business align with their values? Is it engaged with the community, and what is it doing for the greater good?

In China, it’s common for families to be separated for months at a time. Many parents work in factories in large cities while their children stay in villages with relatives to go to school. The Chinese social system connects access to schools and healthcare to the migrant worker’s home province, so most factory workers cannot bring their children with them when they move to cities to work.

The Caterpillar Foundation is on a mission to alleviate poverty. Through its work, the Foundation recognizes that water is one of the most critical basic needs of people and their communities.

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, and NAACP’s ACT-SO initiative (Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics), the civil rights organization’s year-long youth program, held its annual competition with culinary and hospitality high school students last month in San Antonio, Texas. Winners received monetary scholarships to attend the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

“This new look reflects what customers have always loved about Open Nature: high quality and minimally processed products that support a clean lifestyle for the whole family,” Geoff White, president of own brands at Albertsons Cos., said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have the new design fully rolled out across all of our trusted Open Nature products.”

Freeport-McMoRan’s 2017 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report now is available online. Titled "Powered by Copper," the report provides information on the company's sustainability programs – including approach, focus areas and performance targets – and highlights the company's progress made on key issues affecting the company and stakeholders.

As wildfires rage out of control for yet another summer and the Mueller investigation inches ahead at a seemingly glacial pace, there’s a lot to be down about when it comes to politics and the environment. But this week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to a journalist who’s trying to look at things through a more upbeat lens. By delving into things that should encourage us about our future on this planet, Geoff Dembicki offers plenty of reasons to keep fighting the good fight against climate change. Dembicki sheds some light on issues like housing, education and the hope of converting climate change deniers in an effort to put a spring in our collective steps, even in the face of some pretty dark times.

For more than two decades, Cisco has built a world-leading IT training program, Cisco Networking Academy, which has empowered millions around the world. Now we are taking this experience to younger learners with Global Problem Solvers: The Series (GPS: The Series), a new animated web series for kids exploring entrepreneurship, life skills, and how to use technology for social good.

Southern California Edison is seeking state approval for a two-year pilot program to add hundreds of new electric vehicle charging stations at schools and state recreation area parking lots.

Research has shown over and over again that building a diverse workforce isn’t only the right thing to do, but it also gives businesses a competitive advantage. Diversity encourages innovation and creativity, enables discussions and decision-making drawing on a broad range of perspectives and helps to develop and retain versatile talent. Newsrooms globally still have a long way to go in creating and maintaining diversity, and that is a cause for concern.