Eiffel Tower turns off the lights

Since January 1, 2000, every hour after dusk, the 20,000 bulbs twinkle brilliantly for ten minutes in what has become a tourist hit.

But starting next month, Sete, the company subcontracted by Paris to run the tower, has decided to half the time the bulbs are on, cutting illumination from 400 to 200 hours per year. 

"It's above all a symbolic decision, as the cost savings are not enormous", said the tourism deputy of Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë.

"But in terms of image, it shows that we are putting sustainable development into practice", Jean-Bertrand Bros told the Journal du Dimanche.

No, this isn’t a case of greenwashing. It is, to them, a statement saying that there isn’t a real reason to use up these resources, so we’re cutting back…as we all should do wherever we can.

By the same token, sustainability is practiced throughout the tourist destination, with tickets made of recycled paper, and the electricity comes from renewable sources. Paris is setting some seriously great examples, from air quality to cars to airports and more. The rest of the world might readily take note.