1. The European Commission's Europe 2020

The European Commission has come up with Europe 2020 as a new "growth plan" for members of the EU to overcome setbacks incurred as a result of the economic slump. Looking forward, Europe 2020 plans to focus on three major areas: growth from knowledge, creating an inclusive society, and building a greener economy that is competitive at the international level (Europe 2020).

Here are some of Europe 2020's goals:

-Raise the employment rate among Europeans aged 20-64 from 69% to at least 75%

-Reduce the number of Europeans living below the national poverty line by 25% (lifting 20 million people out of poverty)

-Reduce greenhouse emission gasses by at least 20% (compared to 1990 levels), increase share of renewable energy by 20%, and and increase energy efficiency by 20%

-Allocate 3% of GDP towards Research & Development

2. Winners of 2009 European Design Award for a Sustainable Present Announced

1st Place: Bee House by James Ennis

Concept: Incorporating biodiversity and sustainable growth into modern everyday life through micro-habitation. The winning entry is a window box that allows the user to become involved in promoting survival of insects that are essential to the food production cycle by growing flowers and giving an environment for pollination and reproduction (Bee House).

2nd Place: Dynamic by Mauro Amoruso

Concept: An easy way to combat stress in everyday life and produce green energy simultaneously. This entry is a stress-relieving product that stores up energy that can re-charge batteries in small electronic appliances (such as a cell phone) by accumulating energy from a pumping motion similar to a stress ball (Dynamic).

3rd Place: USELESS.energy by Dominika Anna Rams

Concept: A simple product with a simple concept, to remind us of our never-ending energy consumption, a plug for open sockets to prevent leakage of energy when not in use. Also a plug for faucets to prevent water waste (USELESS.energy).