Germany is well known for its progressive thinking around energy and environmental policy, as proven by a significant number of fellows in my program who came to Germany expressly to study these issues. But what impresses me most are the small ways energy conservation is integrated into everyday life:
* At the grocery store, you have to pay for every plastic bag you use to bag your groceries. As a result, most people carry cloth bags or reuse their plastic bags when they shop. This is not just for crunchy granola types, it is the norm.
* When you use small plastic baggies for food, you wash them out and reuse them over and over. As environmentally conscious as I liked to think I was in New York, I was always too lazy to do this. But now I am afraid of what the hotel maids might think if they see plastic baggies in my garbage every day. In this case, conforming to social norms can be a good thing.
* Lights in hallways and staircases are kept off. This has been the case in every German apartment building and hotel I have every been in. When it is too dark to see where you are going, you can flip on the timed light switches, which will stay on just long enough for you to get to where you need to go, and then will automatically turn off. No need to have hallway lights blazing 24/7. Brilliant.
* Many people in Germany use bicycles as their primary means of transport. It is not just for people with a death wish (New York City) or people too poor to own a car (the rest of America). Yes, I know there is a strong bike culture in many parts of the U.S., but unfortunately it is still more of a subculture. Whereas here it is definitely the mainstream and no one looks at you funny or worries about your safety.
* And of course, there is probably no need to mention the awesome public transportation in most every German city. Super convenient and super easy. I really wish American cities wouldn’t drag their feet so much on establishing public transport. (Okay, so this isn’t a small example of energy conservation, but relevant nonetheless!)
All of these things are just a part of daily life, nothing super special. Taken for granted even. And I find that wonderful.
Your thoughts?
Hey fellow friend-o-Kristen’s! Yes, I find all of what you said “totally wonderful” too. I swear, Europeans just “get” some things that we U.S.ers haven’t figured out quite yet. Really simple things that don’t put a burden on anyone but do succeed in conserving resources. My h and I are riding thru eastern Europe right now – we’re in Vilnius, near your latitude. Same thing – no bags at the grocery store. I don’t mind just carrying the milk carton on my forearm. Good workout.
I love reading posts like this — the differences between what people do in other countries versus what we’re used to. It’s very cool that Germans are so environmentally conscious. :)
Stumbled in here from Zandria’s blog.
I think a lot of what you’re saying in this post applies to most European countries. I’m in Sweden and we do those things as well. Most of the times I don’t even think about it so it’s nice having someone point out the good things I/we do for the environment. Thank you! :)
Monica: Yes, it seems that many European countries have figured this out faster than the U.S. has — and it sounds like that includes Eastern Europe too! Thanks for your comment.
Zandria: It really demonstrates that if there is the will, there IS a way!
Anna: Not a problem! I wish that I could bottle up whatever it is that allows Europeans to instinctively respect the environment and bring it back to the U.S… Thanks for stopping by.