Germany: Not So Bright As Green Leaders Call For Less Christmas Lights
Environmental group calls for fewer Christmas lights
Deutsche Umwelthilfe is an environmental advocacy group in Germany that has asked the government to urge citizens to turn off their Christmas lights. While this may sound “bah humbug” (a grumpy dislike of something generally enjoyable) it does make sense. Yes, even if we have gone through two-and-a-half years of the pandemic. If citizens turn off or use less Christmas lighting, this would save energy. Moreover, with Russia holding back natural gas supplies, it can only help.
Meanwhile, the German government has reportedly already introduced a number of measures to save energy this winter. These include lowering the maximum room temperature in public and office buildings. It also involves switching off lights on Berlin’s monuments, including the Brandenburg Gate pictured below.
A festive mood in Germany doesn’t need so many Christmas lights
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is a politically independent, non-profit group that has been working for environmental protection and a sustainable lifestyle for 40 years. According to them, with the energy crisis, Christmas lights in homes and cities should be turned off this year.
These can and should also be able to take place this year. But a festive mood does not include orgies of light and illumination as in earlier years.
In fact, Resch says that turning down the Christmas illuminations this year could lead to a more thoughtful celebration. He told Euronews:
A contemplative mood is perhaps even more likely to arise if [we are more selective with our decorations in] this special time of year.
Resch explained that several department store chains in Switzerland have already decided to use no special Christmas lighting on their buildings. He said this is also an example for Germany to follow.
Moreover, DUH says that private households used 6 percent more electricity for Christmas lighting that in the previous year. This meant that a total of 623 million kWh were consumed. Meanwhile, this is the same as the annual consumption for a city with 400,000 inhabitants. Obviously, this is a huge amount of energy, to be expended on Christmas lighting alone.
Moderation also applies to the excessive lighting of private houses, apartment facades and gardens decorated with thousands of lights, which has increased sharply in recent years.
Will Germany dim the festive lights this year?
Until it gets closer to the time, it is unknown whether the towering Christmas trees in the squares of many German towns will not be lit. It is equally unknown whether the Christmas markets will take that big step and unplug their festive lights.