Germany may look less twinkly this year as environmentalists call for lights out

[Rob Thompson]

  Germany may look less twinkly this year as environmentalists call for lights out

Source - EuroNews

By - Giulia Carbonaro

Date - 30/09/2022
'

All is bright' on Christmas Day - at least that's what Germany’s most famous Christmas song, 'Silent Night', says.

But could a dimmer Christmas actually be better this year, as Europe struggles with skyrocketing energy bills and gas supply shortages?

One environmental advocacy group in Germany thinks so. Deutsche Umwelthilfe has called on the government to urge citizens to turn off their Christmas lights to save energy, as Russia keeps a tight hold on supplies of natural gas.

The German government has already introduced several measures to save energy this winter, including lowering maximum room temperatures in public and office buildings and switching off the lights of the capital’s monuments, including the famous Brandenburg Gate.

However, none of these rules applies to individual citizens.

But as Christmas approaches, the issue of the energy spent on the country's famous Christmas markets and decorations has been raised by many.

'A festive mood does not include orgies of light'

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) which is a politically independent, non-profit organisation that has been advocating for the protection of the environment and a sustainable lifestyle for the past 40 years, says Christmas lights in houses, flats and cities should be unplugged this year.

"We are not calling for Christmas markets to be cancelled," clarifies Jürgen Resch, DUH Federal Managing Director, talking to Euronews.

"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," he adds.

DUH is not calling for the cancellations of Christmas markets in Germany. Here, the Christmas market in Frankfurt, in 
Resch suggests that dimming the Christmas lights this year could also lead to a more thoughtful celebration.

"A contemplative mood is perhaps even more likely to arise if [we are more selective with our decorations in] this special time of year," he said.

"In Switzerland, several department store chains have decided to do without special Christmas lighting for their buildings - an example for Germany as well."

According to Resch, private households used six per cent more electricity for Christmas lighting than in the previous year, a total of 623 million kWh consumed - as much as the annual consumption of a city with 400,000 inhabitants.

With this data in mind, turning off the lights for Christmas could be nothing short of revolutionary - not only for saving energy but also for climate protection.

"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."

 

Where else is cutting down on Christmas lights?
Other cities in countries like Spain and Portugal have moved to turn off or dim the Christmas lights this year.

The mayor of Alicante in Spain has announced a proposal for all municipalities in Valencia to turn off 20 per cent of Christmas lights this year.

This week the Portuguese government published guidelines recommending Christmas lights be switched on only between 6 pm to midnight from 6 December until 6 January.

German homes normally don't show off the same Christmas lightning seen on houses in the US or Canada.Michael 
Will Germany switch off its Christmas lights?
Germany is very attached to its Christmas traditions, with its Christmas markets being among the most famous in the world and the country following a number of traditions.

In the lead-up to Christmas, German families bake traditional cookies, light up a candle every Sunday for four weeks and drink 'Feuerzangenbowle' (a very strong version of mulled wine over which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is turned on fire) and Glühwein in the streets.

It's hard to guess how Germans feel about going dark this winter during Christmas time. But it's also important to note that Germans don’t have the tradition of decorating their homes with thousands of bright lights, as people are known to do in the UK and US.

Whether the big Christmas trees dominating the centres of German towns and the lights adorning traditional markets will be unplugged this year remains to be seen.

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Rob Thompson

[Rob Thompson]

Its certainly going to be an interesting season this year, I know lots of cities in the UK have taken a decision not to put up illuminations by way of protecting the public purse,

Such a shame the way the world is at the moment  

[Santa SteveKl]

I am glad i live where I do, I will have my lights up and on!

[Sundblom Santa]

1 hour ago, Santa SteveKl said:

I am glad i live where I do, I will have my lights up and on!

You said it, brother!

[Schwindy]

Yes being on disability, it's a real choice to one and not the other. WE'VE NEVER HAD TO TALK ABOUT "IF WE LIGHT UP CAN, WE HONESTLY AFFORD IT"?!?! 

& there is NO WAY I could live on my own NOW A DAYS, GOOD THING KATHY STILL LIKE ME!!! NO JOKE!! 

[Rob Thompson]

5 hours ago, Schwindy said:

Yes being on disability, it's a real choice to one and not the other. WE'VE NEVER HAD TO TALK ABOUT "IF WE LIGHT UP CAN, WE HONESTLY AFFORD IT"?!?! 

& there is NO WAY I could live on my own NOW A DAYS, GOOD THING KATHY STILL LIKE ME!!! NO JOKE!! 

I think thats going to be a problem for lots of families over here. The cost of electricity is approx threefold now and as you said, many folk simply wont be able to afford to put the lights up and on. At best I can see a huge reduction in the amount of people who do

[Grandpa Gus]

At what point do we forgo so many of our traditions such as lights for Christmas and so many other things that the environmentalists demand that we find ourselves living with no color in our lives.  Do we go back to burning great bonfires to celebrate? No, that wouldn't do, air pollution. I'm sorry that these people have gone to the extreme that they cannot see any alternative other than to give up the pleasures that we have developed over centuries of human life. At what point will they make saving the " environment " such a high priority that all traditions are stopped. The lights put up and out by towns, cities and villages as well as all the different faiths, are shared with all people, those who don't have the means to celebrate as well they are an announcement to all that this time in the darkest time of the year that for those of us who follow the teachings of Christ, wish peace and joy to their fellow man. No matter what they believe.

[Rob Thompson]

2 hours ago, Grandpa Gus said:

At what point do we forgo so many of our traditions such as lights for Christmas and so many other things that the environmentalists demand that we find ourselves living with no color in our lives.  Do we go back to burning great bonfires to celebrate? No, that wouldn't do, air pollution. I'm sorry that these people have gone to the extreme that they cannot see any alternative other than to give up the pleasures that we have developed over centuries of human life. At what point will they make saving the " environment " such a high priority that all traditions are stopped. The lights put up and out by towns, cities and villages as well as all the different faiths, are shared with all people, those who don't have the means to celebrate as well they are an announcement to all that this time in the darkest time of the year that for those of us who follow the teachings of Christ, wish peace and joy to their fellow man. No matter what they believe.

Im sure those people, cities, towns etc who would normally put the lights on display at Christmas arent really giving consideration for the environment, but over here, it is the financial implication rather than the environmental consideration that is the driver for the cut backs

[Grandpa Gus]

Rob Thompson, I'm sorry. I knew things were not going well in England, I just didn't realize that it is that bad. I'l put an extra light on my tree thinking of you folks over there.

 

[Rob Thompson]

1 hour ago, Grandpa Gus said:

Rob Thompson, I'm sorry. I knew things were not going well in England, I just didn't realize that it is that bad. I'l put an extra light on my tree thinking of you folks over there.

 

Thats really thoughtful Gus, just make sure its a low wattage light, we have to consider the environment lol   

[Grandpa Gus]

Rob, For about 10 years I have been switching all my lights to LED. So I could put more out. If I remember and if I can actually get it into a picture, I will try to post it. I wish you and all the very best for this coming Christmas. 

[Schwindy]

On 10/26/2022 at 5:56 AM, Rob Thompson said:

I think thats going to be a problem for lots of families over here. The cost of electricity is approx threefold now and as you said, many folk simply wont be able to afford to put the lights up and on. At best I can see a huge reduction in the amount of people who do

I would have the lights on from 5 ish to midnight. BUT I already said, starting around 6 PM and knocking them out & off by 10 PM.  

[Grandpa Gus]

I am so sorry about all the folks having to cut back on lights. It is my belief that these simple things help to bring color and joy into our lives. And we need color in our lives. At first it was Christmas carols couldn't be sung in public schools since they had religious connections, then many public places banned nativity scenes for fear of offending people who didn't believe in Christmas, then in some places you were chastised for wishing someone a Merry Christmas, since they may not share your beliefs and so on. Each of these diminish the color of our lives, and in doing so make our days a little more grey.   To those who insist on these bans, I say too bad, I will still play, sing or hum Christmas carols as I see fit, where I want to and when I want to. And should I wish you A merry Christmas, know that I am wishing you well and happiness at a dark time of the year. And should you come as a guest to my home and see my Nativity set out, too bad If it offends you, please shake my hand and bid me goodbye, I will understand and will not trouble you again. But should you not take offense at these things and all the rest of the sights and sounds of this time of year, I wish you Gods blessings and my personal best wishes for now and the rest of the coming year.

[Rob Thompson]

17 hours ago, Grandpa Gus said:

Rob, For about 10 years I have been switching all my lights to LED. So I could put more out. If I remember and if I can actually get it into a picture, I will try to post it. I wish you and all the very best for this coming Christmas. 

Hey Gus, I dont have any issues with Christmas lights, I love them, and I dont agree with any potential bans either. I think for individuals it should be a personal choice. With towns, cities etc again that should be a matter for the elected officials and represent as best can be, the wishes of the voters.

My only concern/ disappointment is that there will be a lot of families this year that cannot afford the additional electricity costs as a result they wont be lighting their houses up as they have done in the past. In respect of towns and cities, many of them over here are cutting back or not displaying Christmas lights as again, this comes from the public purse.  For my part should that be the case where I live, I will be really disappointed as the Christmas lights, as you say, really add to the atmosphere and oy of Christmas.

I shall wait and see what happens in my part of the world, County Durham  

[cannon45b]

I will put out my Christmas lights here in Germany. Christmas must endure!