As proposed by this japenese unplugged movement,
on the evening of June 21 make your night a Candle night.
Turn off your lights for two hours from 8 to 10 p.m.



Then follow their suggestions:

"Do something special . . .
Read a book with your child by candlelight.
Enjoy a quiet dinner with a special person.
This night can mean many things for many people.
A time to save energy, to think about peace,
to think about people in distant lands who share our planet."

20 20 by 2020 - The Commission is on the right track
Contribution by Simon Tilford of the Centre for European Reform in "Think global act European", a report by European think-tanks contribution to the trio of the French, Czech and Swedish presidencies of the union.
I extracted the table of contents and the "20 20 by 2020" paper.
It's also possible to download the complete report (336 p.) from the CER (Centre for European Reform) website or directly here.

MEPs pass resolution on adaptation to climate change
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on adaptation to climate change. The resolution was in response to the European Commission´s Green Paper on "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options for EU action". The Parliament welcomed the document, while calling for further measures to ensure security of food and energy supplies, and the availability, accessibility, use and conservation of water; urging for more action to strengthen the capacity of health systems to cope with the adverse effects of climate change as well as allocation of additional resources for innovative solutions.
More info

Energy and climate issues might appear to be new on the agenda when we consider our cities' future.
Although often presented as added constraints, don't they present – quite to the contrary – an opportunity to rethink our cities and improve our quality of life?

Transforming our cities to improve our lives
Historically, people settled close to energy sources (water, wood and, later, coal deposits) until the electricity revolution, and subsequently oil and gas, changed the order of things.
"Freed" from the constraints of local energy supplies, regions embarked on "above ground" development programmes, without regard to energy supply constraints and environmental consequences. Energy sources, though vital, became remote and anonymous. Cheap energy took care of the rest. Construction proceeded with no thought for energy consumption. Cities sprawled unimpeded, relying on inexpensive private transport. Long-term town planning decisions disregarded energy considerations.
Long-distance travel for work, leisure, shopping, and educational purposes, for instance, became the be all and end all of urban development; often at the cost of quality of life.

Read more