Germany has some of the highest electricity bills and energy taxation in Europe. As a result the country's seen an increasing adoption of self-sufficient energy production technology. People across the country are beginning to make their own home-made electricity.

Technology lets communities form easily and quickly and as a result is unleashing an empowered public on markets, the media and more. From group buying to 'buycotting', people are putting their heads together and voting with their wallets.

As consumers become more aware of the health effects of everyday objects, they are reconsidering what they consume. An investigation into toxic chemicals in clothes has sparked a widespread call for fashion brands to ‘detox’ their supply chains.

With just 3% of UK energy sources renewable and little expectation that big energy suppliers will do anything about it, a new platform called Abundance is bringing communities together to fund alternative sources of power.