The Copenhagen show is about to start, and for some uplifting specifics on what may be possible, as well as the broader challenges, take a look at some of the European Union leadership regarding climate change responses.

The European Commission underlines the crucial importance of reaching a global, ambitious and comprehensive climate agreement at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen on 7-18 December.

According to Companiesandmarkets.com, the 2008 value of the carbon market is USD $126 billion, an increase of over 1000% in 3 years. Whilst all estimates can be debated and there’s too many nuances for a pithy response, the bottom line is: there’s money in that carbon!

Wind farms are spreading throughout Europe, as a form of renewable energy. The latest project in Belgium, is currently the largest and potentially most efficient, and supported by the E.U. At 198m high, with a rotor of 127 m – taller than mid size office blocks – this turbine stands out!

The much-debated Treaty of Lisbon enters into force today, promising inherently European citizenship, cross-European democracy, direct petitioning by citizens and creating greater European integration across borders, among other claims. The E.U. is move closer to ’super-nation’ status.

The non-payment risk rate for online merchants in Europe has fallen to the lowest level in 7 years, to just above one quarter of one percent, in some cases superior to bricks and mortar transactions. These and other useful findings are summarised from the Deutsche Bank e-Commerce report.

Eurail has expanded Eurail pass sales into the Chinese market, a significant indicator that European tourist destinations expect greater numbers of Asian and Chinese inbound tourists. Eurail passes offer favourable rail transit prices, and are also an enabler of travel and cultural exhange.

SAP have invested in a Internet of Services community, launched at the announced at the EU Future Internet Assembly, being held in Stockholm, Sweden right now. Where SAP goes, corporations follow…

The nature of innovation is shifting, but our society is stuck in old paradigms of innovation. Our Executive Director, Christopher Hire, examines what a Creative Age of innovation may mean and the opportunity it gives all of us, …

December 8, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown Manhattan the Financial Times, will host “Ukraine: Opportunities and Challenges,” a strategic conference focusing on Ukraine’s economic outlook, evolving business environment, key investment opportunities, and the challenges that need to be overcome to reach Ukraine’s potential.

There may be some surprises in the Transparency International’s 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a measure of domestic, public sector corruption. Whilst war zones are among the worst, kick-backs, crony capitalism and nepotism means some Western countries fare less well than you might think. It seems institutions and process matter. Read more…

Start-up culture is vital, and this U.S. and European meeting of heavyweights, and upcoming entrepreneurs, will meet to discuss successful start-up sectors in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, from November 15-17 as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009.

Research ties between Old World (Europe) & New World (Australia & USA) are important. If you’re from Germany in Australia, please support this research.

National Broadband Network, & closer technological collaboration between Australia & Germany are 2 key themes of CeBIT AusInnovate.

Learn about innovaiton potential in Bucharest in Romania!

City of beauty. City of water. Check out these inspiring photos & tell us what you think of Venice.

Hotel design from a modern art hotel in Austria.

VIDEOS. Estonia. — Estonia is not a well known country.
This video might give you a sense of the creative spirit of this Baltic nation, across the gulf from Finland.
With its neighbour Latvia it once formed part of the powerful Soviet Union. Estonians are not Russians per se, and there are some tensions. Estonia still wears some of the scars of former communist countries.
But Estonia has a distinct identity. A sense of which is visible in the preceding video.
Technology focus.
Tallinn is a grand old city, capital of Estonia.
Tallinn also is famous …

COMMENT. Global. – Trains, and rail is a resurgent transport platform.
For some great examples of trains, check out this slide-show on slideshare.
Safe, Cleaner, Practical.
Despite increasingly shrill voices on the right-wing think-tanks, calling for less public transport, rail has clear benefits, visible to all.
Most countries around the world can see the benefits. China, Japan, France, Austria, all are investing in rail. Why do you love trains?
Here at 2thinknow, next are 7 reasons why global trends support a rail renaissance.

COMMENT –Jared Diamond’s work, Guns Germs and Steel is a pivotal work in the understanding of past phase change within societies. Jared is unique in his cross-disciplinary approach combining many fields — biology, anthropology, history, medicine and others.
I haven’t finished Collapse yet but in this talk from TED, Diamond outlines the key principles of societal collapse.
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Diamond’s observations & books have been extraordinarily influential to my thinking and writing.
Especially my work on 2thinknow nascent trend analysis, allowing for the prediction of trends & events.
I started reading …