More than 500 German communities join Earth Hour

More than 500 cities and communities in Germany participated in Earth Hour, according to WWF. At 8:30 p.m., lights went out at landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate and Neuschwanstein Castle. The event served as a signal for climate protection.

The environmental organization WWF reports that 506 cities and communities in Germany took part in Earth Hour on Saturday. At 8:30 p.m. local time, they switched off lights for one hour, including at landmarks such as Neuschwanstein Castle, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Erfurt Cathedral, and Schalke Stadium in Gelsenkirchen.

Viviane Raddatz, WWF Germany's climate chief, described the strong participation as "a clear mandate for politics to end its climate policy setbacks, consistently advance the energy transition, and reduce our dependence on fossil energies".

This year's Earth Hour marked the 20th edition. Launched in 2007 by WWF Australia, it calls on millions worldwide to turn off lights for 60 minutes at 8:30 p.m. local time – as a symbol for climate and environmental protection. Millions participated globally.

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Firefighters battle blaze on cable bridge over Teltow Canal in Berlin, causing widespread power outage in southwest neighborhoods.
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Major power outage in Berlin's southwest due to suspected arson

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Since early Saturday morning, around 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses in Berlin's southwest have been without power, caused by a fire on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal. Police are investigating arson, and a claim of responsibility is under review. Power restoration could take until Thursday, January 8, 2026.

One day after an arson attack on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal caused a major power outage in southwest Berlin, the left-extremist Vulkangruppe group has claimed responsibility, with authorities deeming the statement authentic. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner calls it terrorism. Partial reconnections are underway, but full restoration may take until Thursday.

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Germany's greenhouse gas emissions fell by just 0.1 percent in 2025 to 649 million tons of CO₂ equivalents, marking the smallest decline in four years. Opposition parties Greens and Left criticize the federal government for shortcomings and warn of EU fines in billions. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider highlights progress but calls for a push.

A major power outage affected around 18,000 customers in Solna and Sundbyberg north of Stockholm on Thursday. The outage began shortly after 3 p.m. and caused darkness in areas including Solna Centrum mall and Karolinska Institutet. Most had power restored by 6 p.m.

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Following DWD forecasts, Storm Low Elli has brought heavy snowfalls and gale-force winds to Germany, worst in the north. Schools are shut across Lower Saxony and parts of Schleswig-Holstein, transport is curtailed, and life-threatening conditions persist amid snow drifts and black ice.

Klaus Reinhardt, president of the German Medical Association, urges politicians to ban private New Year's Eve fireworks to protect the public from injuries. He highlights risks to bystanders, animals, and war refugees, as well as environmental damage from fireworks. A petition with over 2.2 million signatures backs this proposal.

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Germany's municipal associations have positively received the planned changes to the heating law but warn of additional burdens and demand funding. The agreement between the Union and SPD aims to abolish the 65 percent rule for renewables and introduce a gradual shift to climate-friendly fuels. Meanwhile, the Federal Constitutional Court is reviewing the parliamentary process of the original version.

 

 

 

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