Berlin wants to become a world leader in the solar energy field, both as a user of the sun's rays for energy and as a pioneer in solar technology despite its northern, cloud-covered location, its economy minister said.

This German town finds energy security - and some profit - in self-sufficiency. The town of Freiamt generates its entire electricity needs from locally owned renewable sources, and then sells a 30 per cent surplus to generate revenue. This thriving economy should be a lesson to those seeking security on larger scales.

Small train stations are experiencing a rebirth in France, where the fast intercity trains have ruled of late. Renewed service in small towns is a response to higher demand.

The residents of rural Freiamt, Germany produce 17 percent more electricity than they use, boosting their bottom line and proving that green isn’t just for geeky idealists.

The Rotterdam Taxi Centre announced today that it has concluded an agreement with the Rotterdam Climate Initiative to replace part of its fleet with taxis that run on biofuel. The municipality of Rotterdam (Netherlands) is also planning on replacing its fleet with lower-emissions vehicles over the next 3 - 4 years.

Grist's David Roberts tours biomass installations in rural Austria, looking at the elegance of combined heat and power from locally controlled sources.

In many ways, Amsterdam and other Dutch cities have fostered urban environments that provide a wide range of transportation choices for residents and visitors. The result is vibrant cities and greatly reduced automotive use - not a cure-all for carbon woes, but a great step forward for climate viability and urban livability.

Hilly terrain may deter some from cycling in Stuttgart, Germany. But that obstacle is surmountable: the city is piloting a program a plan that would put electric-assisted bikes in the hands of citizens, and appropriate infrastructure around the city.

A proposed resolution submitted on Feb 26, 2008, to the parliamentary group of Bündnis90/Die Grünen-GAL (the Green Party in Hamburg) after intensive discussions within the Peak Oil Group Hamburg, with the intention of submitting the resolution for approval to the state parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Bürgerschaft).

In the early years of this decade, cities in Sweden started using an ingenious locally-produced transportation fuel: biogas, created from microbially "digested" human waste. Biogas works in any car that's set up to use compressed natural gas, and is cheaper than gasoline or diesel. The problem is that car manufacturers have stopped making biogas-ready cars in favor of developing for ethanol.