"Is there nothing we can do?" many people ask resignedly. A first step: take part in the "KlimaschutSZ-Monitor". Simply register by the end of the year and take part free of charge.

The city of Salzgitter and the energy management office merkWATT are offering a special "join-in project" as part of the climate protection concept that has been launched: Salzgitter residents can choose five out of 44 energy-saving tasks from all areas of life and test them for two weeks. Participants then answer five simple questions about their experiences, which are then evaluated anonymously.

The "KlimaschutSZ-Monitor" offers concrete tips on how to save energy and provides a simple way of gaining an overview of your own energy consumption and controlling it. "None of our lives function without energy. There is room for improvement everywhere," says Sabine Neef, project manager for the Salzgitter climate protection concept at merkWATT.

For example, who knows that fuel consumption can be significantly reduced if the pressure of car tires is regularly checked and kept at a maximum?

Some ways of saving money sound simple, but some people find it difficult to implement them consistently, even if it is "only" long-standing habits that stand in the way.

Many people have the idea that you first have to invest a lot of money to save energy. However, this is often not the case: "If you replace your window seals, for example, you can avoid considerable heat loss with just a few euros," says Sabine Neef. "Summer and fall are the right times to make your home fit for winter," says the project manager.

Anyone who takes part in the KlimaschutSZ-Monitor will find out how they can save energy and therefore money. In addition, the experience reports are evaluated and incorporated into the city's climate protection concept. "We hope that citizens will participate actively so that we can then come up with suggestions for improvements," says Dr. Helen Meyn, an employee in the City of Salzgitter's Environment Department. Citizens are also welcome to contact the City of Salzgitter's Urban Planning, Environment, Building Regulations and Monument Protection Department with their ideas (telephone number: 05341 / 839-3414 or email umweltstadt.salzgitterde

Anyone who would like to take part in the KlimaschutSZ-Monitor will receive all the information they need to register on the website https://salzgitter.klimaschutzmonitor.de/. After receiving their access data, citizens then choose five of 44 climate protection tasks that suit them. The areas include nutrition, consumption, mobility, electricity and heating. Small gifts will be raffled off among all participants.