Energy saving and greening: Free lecture cycle in Kehl!

Energy saving and greening: Free lecture cycle in Kehl!

Today, November 11, 2025, not only is Veterans Day celebrated, but our region is also actively working on climate protection and energy efficiency. In Kehl, the focus is on the information series “Your house under the climate microscope”. Free weekly lectures on climate-friendly and energy-efficient living are planned until the beginning of December. These events invite you to find out about energy saving options and find effective solutions for your own home. Throat reports that the next event will take place on November 17th, where Christian Dunker from the Ortenau Energy Agency will talk about efficient and cost-effective heating with heat pumps in existing buildings. He will provide insights into how energy consumption can be reduced and what funding opportunities are available.

The following week, on November 26th, Stefan Zeller from the Federal Association of BuildingsGreen e.V. will take up the topic of “Designing Green” in an online lecture. This is about the advantages and effects of greening measures on and around the house. If you are interested, you can simply register by sending an email to klimaschutz@stadt-kehl.de to receive access to the lectures.

The holiday for veterans

While in Germany the attention is focused on climate protection and environmental friendliness, in the USA Veterans Day is celebrated with a variety of offers. Originally known as Armistice Day, this holiday commemorates the end of World War I and honors the service of all veterans. Many restaurants offer free meals and discounts to active military and veterans on this day. USA Today highlights that proof of military service is required to benefit from offers, which are often only available to guests eating on site.

Participating restaurants include Applebee's, which offers a free entree, and Chipotle, which offers a buy-one-get-one deal. Starbucks also treats veterans to free coffee, and restaurants like Denny's and Golden Corral offer full breakfast and buffet meals.

Renewable energies and their influence

In Germany, the expansion of renewable energies plays a central role in energy policy. According to current data from the Federal Ministry of Economics, final energy consumption for heat from renewable energies was around 197 TWh in 2024, which represents a slight increase compared to the previous year. This development is a positive sign for climate policy, as the share of renewable energies in final energy consumption for heating and cooling has increased to 18.1%. The Ministry also reports that a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions could be avoided through the use of renewable energies, which contributes significantly to achieving climate goals in Germany.

The increase in the use of heat pumps by 15% is astonishing, while the use of biomass for heating purposes is declining. This dynamic shows how important the transition to more sustainable energy sources is. It is also worth mentioning the increase in investments in renewable energies, which amounted to around 32.0 billion euros in 2024.

Overall, it is clear that climate protection and the promotion of renewable energies in Germany are an ongoing process that requires both local initiatives and national strategies. Events like those in Kehl raise awareness, while at the same time Veterans Day in the USA is a memorial celebration of the service and sacrifice of many people. In both contexts it is clear that community engagement can make a crucial difference.