In the News

Stocking Up

Running contrary to the image of being environmentally conscious, Germans, along with their Austrian and Hungarian neighbours are raising a few eyebrows as they scramble to stock up on incandescent light bulbs. While sales have fallen in other countries for the energy-hungry bulbs, they have risen 34% over the past year in Germany.

The lights, which will no longer be available in September because of an EU rule change, which will completely phase out the use of the bulbs over the next four years, have Germans racing to buy the bulbs in large quantities. The contradictory behavior has left some scratching their heads, given the perception that most Germans are typically very eco-friendly.

One psychologist however believes the behavior stems from an unwillingness to change and a fear that “they could destroy the snug atmosphere of their homes.”