China Overseas Chinese Network, September 18th: European Chinese, please pay attention! These practices may be punished in the future
The summer of 2022 has been particularly difficult for European countries.
Not only has it experienced extreme high temperatures that are rare in history, but also caught up with the energy crisis and food crisis.
To this end, many countries have begun to deploy measures to reduce energy consumption. If the heating is turned on too high or the air-conditioning is turned on too low, fines and even prison sentences may be imposed.
Compatriots living in Europe should pay attention to the adjustment of local policies so as not to be punished or affect their normal life.
Switzerland: Heating the heating above 19°C or sentenced
According to Swiss media reports, Swiss economic affairs ministry spokesman Swand said recently that Swiss people who violated Swiss government directives this winter to heat their home heating to above 19°C will face fines and up to three years in prison.
Data map.
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According to the Swiss government's plan, indoor heating temperatures cannot exceed 19°C and hot water cannot exceed 60°C this winter, residents are prohibited from using heaters or self-heating tents, and saunas and swimming pools must be closed.
Those who violate the rules intentionally can be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison; those who violate the rules unintentionally can be fined.
Swandley explained that the minimum daily fine is 30 Swiss francs (about 214 yuan), and the maximum fine can be as high as 3,000 Swiss francs (about 21,394 yuan).
Spain: Turn on the air conditioner like this, fined 60,000 euros!
Spain's "Energy Conservation Plan" took effect at 0:00 on August 10.
These include restricting the strict control of electricity consumption in public places: the temperature of air conditioners must not be lower than 27 degrees Celsius in summer and 19 degrees Celsius in winter. Violators will face a minimum fine of 60,000 euros (about 420,000 yuan).
In addition, in order to keep cool and reduce the use of air conditioning, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also advised men not to wear ties, "so that it will not be too hot", so as to save electricity and reduce energy costs.
Italy: Violations of the "Water Conservation Order" can be fined up to 500 euros
A few days ago, the city of Castenasso in the province of Lonia, Italy, launched a "water saving order".
The terms include a ban on watering flowers, vegetables and car washing with tap water from 8:00 to 21:00; water storage and water changes in public and private swimming pools must be approved; hairdressers can only wash customers’ hair for the first time Wash again and so on.
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The mayor of Castellano said that limiting flushing in barbershops means saving thousands of liters of water every day.
The mayor stressed that those who violate the rules will be fined up to 500 euros.
France: Up to 750 euros in fines for shops with open air conditioners
Since the beginning of summer, several French cities, including Paris, Bresbourg, Lyon and Besançon, have issued municipal ordinances prohibiting air-conditioned shops from opening their doors to save electricity for air-conditioning.
The French government plans to roll out the practice across the country, with fines of up to 750 euros (about 5,175 yuan).
In addition, since September 23, the Paris City Hall, the Municipal Museum and the government buildings of Paris districts will stop lighting at 22:00 at night, and the lights of the famous Paris landmark Eiffel Tower will be extinguished at 23:45 in advance.
At the same time, except for nurseries and nursing homes, the heating temperature in public places will be reduced by 1 degree Celsius; the temperature of public swimming pools will be reduced from 27 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the clearly stipulated energy-saving measures, many countries have also put forward many energy-saving suggestions for daily life.
German Deputy Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck said recently that Germans are advised to travel by bicycle, and those who have to take a private car or bus to work to work from home as much as possible one or two days a week.
He also advised people to lower their indoor heating and draw curtains at night to keep warm.
He said that every 1 degree Celsius reduction in room heating would save about 6 per cent of energy, "a little uncomfortable, but not freezing".
Data map: In 2019, a free Christmas sauna was set up on the streets of Helsinki, Finland.
The Finnish government announced that it will launch a “one degree reduction” national energy-saving campaign this autumn and winter, encouraging people to cope with energy shortages by reducing the time spent in saunas, reducing indoor heating temperatures and driving less.
According to reports, Finland has a tradition of steaming saunas. In this country with a population of about 5.5 million, there are nearly 3 million saunas, and an average of 2 people have a sauna, which can be used for bathers at a temperature of about 85 degrees Celsius.
The national energy-saving campaign will be fully launched on October 10 this year.
There is similar advice in the UK, where water industry companies say Britons should cut their bathing time by at least 60 seconds to avoid running out of water.
British industry representatives said that while the proposal was "unpopular", the UK did face a choice - either spend £1bn on new infrastructure or let people cut their bath time by at least 60 seconds.
Some suggestions are even reinforced down to the smallest detail.
For example, the Irish government encourages the public to plan the use of dishwashers and washing machines to reduce electricity consumption time, and proposes propaganda such as "do not refill the electric kettle and boil it, and only boil the hot water you need to drink each time".
What do you think of these suggestions?
(Source of the manuscript: WeChat official account of China Overseas Chinese Network; ID: qiaowangzhongguo; Source: Agence France Presse, CCTV News, Reference News, Xinhua News Agency, Global Network, Overseas Network, etc.; Author: He Ying)