Elvira Weißmann-Polte turned down her heating by two degrees even before the war.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Elvira Weißmann-Polte, 66, Ebersberg, retired: Elvira Weißmann-Polte turned down her heating by two degrees even before the war. She didn’t have to freeze because the old wooden windows were exchanged for more modern ones with good insulation. She now pays much more attention to economical heating, she says. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to do without the gas-powered heating completely. She advocates an oil and gas boycott against Russia: “If that’s a way to end the war, then that’s the right step. But I’d like to heat up again next fall.” But she can see one positive aspect from the high energy prices: the energy transition is now being pushed forward with even more vigour.
Veronika Hochreiter demands that private households should get more involved.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Veronika Hochreiter, 61, Ebersberg, self-employed: Veronika Hochreiter demands that private households should get more involved. She would also support an embargo, even if it involves higher costs: “The Ebersberg district is prosperous, we could afford it.” She had solar panels installed on her house back in the fall. It was a deep dip in the wallet, but energy self-sufficiency has long been a concern of hers, as she says: “Even before the war, I wanted to be independent of Russian energy, which finances Putin’s power apparatus.” She bought a fireplace for the kitchen. Because of the home office, Hochreiter rarely drives, so fuel prices do not affect her. In order to be even more independent, she is considering getting an electric bike.
Thomas Helbig has been paying attention to his energy consumption for a long time.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Thomas Helbig, 68, Ebersberg, Diploma in Finance: Thomas Helbig would prefer to wear one more sweater: “You need cool room air so that your head doesn’t heat up too much when you’re thinking.” He hardly feels the effects of the high energy prices because his consumption has been low for a long time. Looking at fuel prices still bothers him because he thinks they are too low: as long as SUVs with tons of unladen weight are driving around, driving is too cheap. There should be relief for energy-intensive industries in particular, so as not to cause sharp price increases. Helbig believes that a German embargo on Russian gas and oil is urgently needed: “Of course! You can see what Putin has done in Syria, Chechnya and Georgia. What he is now doing in Ukraine on European soil is forcing us to act.”
The trend must be towards smaller, more economical cars, says Florian Fischer.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Florian Fischer, 61, Ebersberg, engineer: Florian Fischer is not particularly affected by energy prices. His family has an electric car, and the heating is economical anyway. Nevertheless, there must be industry-specific relief. Ultimately, however, these are only a shortage management. In order to take effective countermeasures, savings are needed. As an engineer, Fischer also sees drivers as having a duty: Ever larger cars with increasing energy consumption would justify higher fuel prices. The trend must be towards smaller, more economical cars. A higher mineral oil tax could finance local public transport and make it free. Fischer advocates an energy embargo against Russia: “It’s not just about the freedom of Ukraine, it’s about freedom throughout Europe.”