Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early spring, many people in Western Europe have seen their electricity bills skyrocket, alarmingly. The increase has spread to the broader economy, raising the cost of other necessities like food and transportation. For many people, the cost of just eating and keeping warm has become too expensive, and it has turned into a very cold, very dark, very expensive winter.
We’d love to hear from our readers in Europe about how you’re coping.
Several governments have announced financial support for households and businesses. And there are things people can do to use less energy, such as turning off the thermostat and showering for less time. For some, those changes can even feel positive — more eco-friendly habits can continue when and if prices return to more manageable levels.
But not everyone can adjust. Higher prices are especially difficult for people with chronic illnesses or who depend on home medical equipment, or who live in rental properties where they have no control over energy use.
Times Opinion wants to know more about how readers in Europe are managing the impact of rising energy costs this winter: What are you sacrificing to get through? Are you turning off the heating or off the lights? Are you cooking different meals? Has it changed the way you use your home? And how long can you maintain it?
Tell us your story using the form below. We will publish a series of answers in a future article.
