Germany
In the international and domestic press, Germany has become a symbol of the energy crisis affecting the entire continent. According to experts It developed in this way because the German government, rather than the interests of its citizens, took into account the global goals of the United States when developing its sanctions policy against the Russians.
The news today is that it is about to collapse can be avoided The German economy after the start of inflation. Experts calculate that the rate of monetary deterioration could break a forty-year record (negative). Moreover, German stores, especially gardening stores and DIY stores, have winter restrictions are planningHowever, in some places the shops may be closed for some time.
For the German political elite to craft one ridiculous proposal after another does not improve the public mood. Prime Minister of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann He suggested The Germans wipe themselves with a damp cloth instead of taking a shower to save electricity and gas.
Because of hyperinflation, staggeringly high energy prices, the introduction of a gas tax and the projected picture of gas shortages, there is great uncertainty among Germans, who often take to the streets due to the German government’s energy policy. It was recently formed at a general meeting of the Neuruppen settlement in Brandenburg bigger demonstration After the arrival of Chancellor Olaf Schultz. “Traitor”, “liar”, “cover up” were chanted by dissidents, but the other side was also active: activists of the Ukrainian women’s rights extremist organization FEMEN blocked the Schulz event, demanding Germany to impose an immediate gas embargo on Russia.
Then, it is not surprising that more and more German politicians consider it realistic to have large-scale protests in the fall and winter due to the energy crisis.
There is enormous tension in Germany, but the government refuses to change its policy. And approved, on Wednesday, decisions on rules aimed at reducing energy consumption, the provisions of which severely affect daily life. Among the rest
Rules for heating public buildings, lighting landmarks, and using entrances to shops opening to the street are defined.
Mandatory savings rules also affect the public sector. Thus, in the first decree – effective from September – it was recorded, for example, that rooms of public buildings not used for permanent residence should not be heated at all, and rooms in permanent use should only be heated to 19 ° C.
They also stipulated, among other things, that decentralized water heating equipment – local and non-local heating – should not be used in public buildings if its operation is primarily for hand washing. The new set of rules also states that, with the exception of safety and emergency lighting, external lighting of buildings and monuments is prohibited.
According to absolutely absurd regulations relating to retail trade, it is forbidden to keep the doors of hot workplaces open at all times. or their entry and exit systems, if this causes heat loss, unless they form part of an escape route. It was also stipulated that the lighting of advertising surfaces would be prohibited from 10 pm until 6 am, unless the lighting had a role in traffic safety or any other safety-related role. The government also planned to turn off the lighting of shop windows at night, but this was stopped due to social pressure.
The second regulation is expected to enter into force in October. There will be stricter regulations: among other things, owners of gas-heated residential properties will be required to check their heating at least once in the next two years. Companies consuming more than 10 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year should explore opportunities to save energy and improve energy efficiency.
Italia
In Italy, which is preparing for early parliamentary elections in September, there will be serious problems with the onset of colder weather. The municipality of Florence imposes fines on violators of energy-saving measures. In the Tuscan capital, fines of between 25 and 500 euros (10,000 to 200,000 forints) are imposed on air-conditioned commercial units that keep their doors open. Mayor Dario Nardella called on residents to
Do not iron all your clothes, use the washing machine only when it is loaded, and do not exceed 19°C in homes and workplaces during the heating season.
In Turin, the intensity of public lighting has been reduced, and the cooling temperature of public offices has been raised by two degrees. In Milan, office temperature in summer is set to 26 degrees, and Mayor Giuseppe Sala has asked workers to turn off the lights when leaving after work. In Belluno in the north, public lighting will be switched off between 3:30 and 5:00 a.m., while in Bari in the south, the conversion of streetlights to LED technology has begun.
The government already has an emergency scenario, which was published in the press. Accordingly, the temperature in public offices is already set at 27 ° C in the spring and 19 ° in the winter. If the energy crisis worsens, the specific heating temperature for homes will decrease by at least 2 degrees compared to normal, and the daily duration of heating will be limited. The task of local governments is to reduce the time of public lighting by forty percent. The draft includes, if necessary, bringing forward the closing time of shops to 7 p.m. and restaurants to 11 p.m.
As a result of the energy crisis, panic pervaded the economic sector.
Carlo Bonomi, president of the Italian industrial association Confindustria, called for the preparation of a gas rationing plan due to the sudden rise in energy prices, after the government’s crisis plan included the suspension of gas supply to the most consuming industries.
In recent days, the steel, ceramic and glass industries have indicated that they will be forced to halt production as prices increase. Many paper mills that closed for the August holiday will not start operating again in September, and bottled water producers in Italy have also slowed production. The emergency scenario can be modified by the government that will stand after the September elections.
France
There is also a state of panic in France because of the energy crisis. The government – like Germany for example – has ordered air-conditioned stores to keep their doors closed and to reduce advertising lighting in order to save energy.
The current regulations on neon signs distinguish between cities with a population greater than or less than 800,000: in France, in cities with a population of less than 800,000, it is forbidden to operate neon signs between 1 and 6 am.
Belgium
The Belgian Prime Minister is already trying to prepare people for the fact that the crisis will continue for a long time.
The next five to 10 winters are going to be tough. A very difficult situation is emerging across Europe. Some sectors are facing serious difficulties due to high energy prices
– He told the press at a meeting held at the port management company ICO Terminals.
“We are watching the situation carefully, but we have to see clearly: the coming months will be difficult and the next winter will also be difficult. We must recover from it, hoping for the best, while preparing for the worst. If the situation turns out to be better than expected, preparation is still useful,” he added.
Switzerland
Switzerland is also preparing to regulate quotas and reduce energy consumption. The cantons want to be more involved in the preparations, as they are very concerned about the impact of the power shortage on public safety. Freddy Fassler, Head of Security and Justice in St. Gallen’s Council of Government
Talk about possible riots and looting.
“Let’s imagine the situation when, due to lack of electricity, it was not possible to withdraw money from automated machines, or pay by card in the store, or fill up at the gas station. The heating stopped, and the streets became dark. It is easy to imagine a riot accompanied by looting.” – He said, adding that he does not want to draw the devil on the wall, but when environmental disasters occur some start looting. According to him, this can also happen in the event of a power outage.
The opinion of Werner Luginbuhl, a member of the Swiss National Council, clearly shows how the government is preparing for the hardships of winter. On that day, he was angry that citizens were using electricity completely without thinking and slowly. That is why he called on the residents to stock up on as many candles and firewood as possible for the winter.
United State
The energy crisis affects not only Europe, but also the United States. But the Biden administration neither intervened nor offered aid packages to alleviate energy poverty. Abroad, high fuel prices are at the heart of public discourse. At the same time, experts are drawing attention to the fact that unpaid public service debts can have serious consequences, especially when heat records are broken across America.
The situation is worrying, because more and more people are forced to choose between buying food, settling rent or paying utilities, which is why experts predict a “tsunami of foreclosures.”
