[ RadSafe ] Off topic issue: American cities are many times brighter than German counterparts

[ROY HERREN]

Perhaps one of our colleagues, say for instance someone who lives in Austria, can enlighten us on the European perspective on this issue.  Is the conclusion of the following headline related to western Germany's energy conservation or is it some sort of a social issue that prevents wide spread use of night lighting?
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-12/ggph-aca122914.php

American cities are many times brighter than German counterparts 
 Roy Herren