France to dim lights to save energy
As of July, all offices and stores in France will have to shut off their lights at night under a new government decree.
As of July, all offices and stores in France will have to shut off their lights at night under a new government decree.
According to The New York Times, the Environment Ministry's decree is meant to save energy and "reduce the print of artificial lighting on the nocturnal environment."
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The new law will save about two terawatt/hours of electricity every year — the equivalent of the annual consumption of 750,000 households, reported Reuters. Environment Minister Delphine Batho said the decision made France a pioneer in Europe when it comes to preventing light pollution, which harms ecosystems and disrupts people's sleep patterns.
The new law will also cut carbon dioxide emissions by 250,000 tons a year.
France is proud of its lights, which attract tourists to see the 20,000 flashing bulbs on the Eiffel Tower, the Christmas lights of the Champs-Élysées and the window displays of department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
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