German competing for energy saving, under crisis 「 new sport 」

Russian gas supply cuts, pool water remains cold and Christmas lights are off

【 Frankfurt （ Germany ） 】 Psychologist Maria Christina Nimaflow did his best last month to give an online lecture to executives, but every few minutes in a classroom without anyone. The energy switch came in and the lighting disappeared.

　At last, he was tired of getting up to activate the motion detection switch and illuminated his face with a cell phone light.

Russia has stopped much of its natural gas supply for Europe this fall. I tried to show the people of Europe that supporting Ukraine in a war could be unbearably uncomfortable. But it seems that the Germans forgot that they like thrifty.

　Many Germans consider frugal thrifty to be part of their national character, and buying specialties is commonplace in their lives. As a result, we are actively working on the energy crisis and reducing consumption in a more creative way than ever before. So far, the results are fine.

According to Oxford Economics, household and corporate gas consumption in September and October was reduced by about 25% compared to the same month in 2018 ～2020, even considering the off-season warm climate. Domestic gas storage rates are currently 97%, well above the government’s most optimistic forecasts.

　As it gets cold, Germans boast on social media who hasn’t used heating for the longest time and post temperature measurements as evidence. Instead of a hot shower, she wipes her body with towels, buys warm underwear, and even uses outdoor grills and camping stoves indoors.

　The town council darkens the street lights, lowers the temperature of public facilities, and stops hot water in public toilets and showers. The water in the pool is still cold. Some towns are considering stopping signal lights. The sauna was also closed. The city of Düsseldorf is considering lowering the incineration temperature of the crematorium. The grocery store has reduced business hours and partially turned off the refrigerator.

　Germans exchange information on social media. Bake rolls with toaster, keep laundry every week, remove unwanted programs and apps from digital equipment, pot lids use the right one, etc.

　Bielefeld’s charity held a energy conservation contest. If you take two photos of the energy meter for half a year and are more than 10% less than the average household consumption, you have the chance to earn 1000 euros （ about 140,000 yen ）.

At the Berlin Zoo, some animals, such as giraffes and hippos, were illuminated and the heating was slightly weakened, a spokeswoman said. The setting temperature of the kennel was reduced at the animal protection facility in the city.

　In Bolfrazhausen, the town council turned the street lights into LEDs, and dim them between 10 pm and 5 am to halve the power used.

Some municipalities said it was not enough. One city council member talks that 「LED lighting is too bright 」 and wants to lower the lighting to the lowest level required by law.

　The energy-saving heat of Germans is now hitting another target that the public is passionate about. Christmas. Municipalities around Germany are discussing whether to allow traditional stalls, skating rinks and illuminations.

　Halle decided to reduce Christmas illuminations. The Fairy Tail Forest illuminations on the market square only light up between 10am and 10pm, reducing energy consumption by half, officials have announced. City buildings, monuments, fountains, etc. remain dark. There is no Christmas tree decorated with illuminations in another market square.

　「 In our opinion, Christmas has an atmosphere even when the lights are off 」, the mayor said.