Epi 70: Why lights on Eiffel tower and skyscrapers in Europe will be turned off this winter

Full Episode description

Eiffel tower is synonymous with its colourful lights at night. But the electricity shortage in Europe has forced the mayor of Paris to announce that lights will be turned off on the Eiffel tower an hour earlier than usual (by 11pm).  Many monuments and government buildings across Europe (Germany and Spain included) will be turning off lights at night for the first time in decades. People have been asked to save electricity by not heating their homes beyond 19C. What's worse, many parts of Europe may even have to brace for long power cuts. People are collecting firewood as a backup. Sounds like a throwback to stone age?

14-year old Ananya Mathur from DPS Nagpur (Kamptee Road), conveys her ideas on why these Stone Age images are flashing across our minds. Europe has been heavily dependent on Russia for their energy. Russia has refused to supply natural gas and fossil fuels to Europe, since Europe imposed sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine war. An eye-for-an-eye, you could say. Ananya leaves us with a hard question to ponder – when this should have been an opportunity for countries to double-down on renewable energy, why are the developed countries moving back to cheaper fossil fuels to combat this crisis?

Giveaway prize alert: If you love books and would like to win one, take the quiz at the end of Episode 69 and answer two super-fun questions correctly.

Click here to listen to Epi 68 on Barbie dolls

Click here to listen to Epi 62 on Tasmanian tiger

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