GE has quietly been using virtual worlds and online gaming to promote environmental education for the past two years. Geoterra, GE's flash-based game designed by ad agency BLITZ, lets users see the positive impact of greener choices and GE-branded products on an island's inhabitants through game-like attractions that score players on their performance in in three "eco-challenges."

Successfully completing the eco-challenges raises a player's Geoscore, as they create an island that represents GE's "ecoimagination" philosophy for a healthy planet. As a reward for completing the challenges, players can register with a U.S. or international map that tracks participant density in different areas of the world-- this viral component seems to encourage users to spread the word and tell their friends.

The Geoterra site is also linked to Ecoimagination For Kids, a portal of flash-based, kid-friendly minigames based on environmental education.

[Via BusinessandGames.com]