Save energy
Giffey: Switch off the lighting at the Brandenburg Gate at night
Illuminated Brandenburg Gate. Berlin’s mayor Giffey wants to turn off the lights in public buildings after midnight. Photo: Christophe Gateau/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Berlin’s mayor wants to turn off the lights in public buildings at night to save energy. Because as a child she grew up so much: “If nobody is in the room, the light is turned off”.
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey has spoken out in favor of no longer illuminating public buildings such as the Red City Hall or the Brandenburg Gate after midnight. “In the situation we are in, you have to examine all the options for saving energy,” Giffey told the German Press Agency. Not illuminating some buildings after midnight is a reasonable compromise. “It’s about saving first where it’s not so painful,” Giffey said.
The goal must be to become more mindful overall. “I believe that we have to use every opportunity to save energy,” said the Governing Mayor. “I grew up so much as a child: if nobody is in the room, the light is turned off. It’s very simple and nothing new.”
In view of the energy shortage and sharply increased prices for electricity and gas, Berlin’s FDP faction leader Sebastian Czaja suggested last weekend that public buildings such as the radio tower, the Brandenburg Gate or the Victory Column should no longer be illuminated after midnight.