Green is Universal: Will Light Bulbs Really Save The Planet?

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Will Light Bulbs Really Save The Planet?

Posted at 06:02 PM on November 10, 2007 comments (8)

By Grist.org

eco bulb It'll take a lot more than light bulbs, but it's not a bad place to start. At Grist.org, we've been shining the light on green issues since 1999, giving readers a daily dose of news, views, and humor. We've even got a new book, Wake Up and Smell the Planet, that's packed with bright ideas for making green choices throughout your day.

So how many light bulbs does it take to change a planet? As many as you can use. Compact fluorescents (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are both highly efficient alternatives to Edison's incandescent bulb. (And really, if he knew we were still relying on that invention more than a century later, don't you think he'd be appalled at our lack of ingenuity?) The newfangled bulbs cost more than the old ones, but they can pay for themselves in energy savings over just a year or so -- and they last a heck of a lot longer.

Make the switch.

Grist.org
http://www.Grist.org/

comments

Posted by: Jack W on November 10, 2007 07:03 PM

Speaking of light bulbs, NBC could be sending a greener message if they turn off the huge �GE� signs on the top of 30 Rock.

Those signs serve no purpose except wasting kilowatts. Besides you can�t see them from anywhere anyway.

Posted by: Dana Hall on November 10, 2007 09:01 PM

Using CFLs is an essential step towards reducing carbon emissions. But we need a streamlined disposal system for broken or dead CFL bulbs. If millions of households transition to CFLs and throw broken bulbs into ordinary household trash, we will have mercury in landfills, which is not the proper disposal method. CFL bulbs must be disposed of with hazardous waste, and more should be done to raise awareness of this.

Posted by: John Kirton II on November 10, 2007 09:17 PM

I have a desk lamp with a 60-watt CFL bulb which buzzes whenever I turn it on. Why is it buzzing?

Posted by: Brenda on November 11, 2007 11:56 AM

Abaout 2 years ago we replaced all our old style light bulbs with the new fluoresents bulbs. The cost of replacement was high, but we were replaceing blubs in the home every month or so and this cost over the 2 years were higher than the new bulbs.
We have replaced a few of those bulbs in the past 2 years, ones in high useage areas like the kitchen and my favorite table lamp,for the most part most are still intact and burning brghtly. We also noticed right away a $15 to $20 drop in our electric bill per month. There are sizes to fit every spot and need in your home. I highly recommend everyone change to these, they provide more light with less wattage.

Posted by: Michael Lile on November 11, 2007 12:50 PM

CFL is not the best alternative, and is bad for both humans -and- the environment. CFLs contain mercury, a known cancer-causer, not to mention a major neural inhibitor (For those that don't know, it attacks the brain and your nerves, causing many a range of diseases affecting touch senses, to motor function). The cost for a cleanup of a broken CFL bulb is around $2000. LEDs are better, but no one carries them locally.

Posted by: Susie Hammer on November 25, 2007 08:40 AM

What about Vegas? Have the casinos switched over all their 40 million lights to the good ones? Not to mention all the water that is wasted for the gamblers in the desert. If Red is the opposite of green Vegas should change their logo from "...Stays here" to "Red-not green city".

Posted by: reese on December 1, 2007 10:47 AM

Hey Michael Lile where did you pull your numbers from. Its people like you that turn people away from green. Extremist like you have not changed anything in 40 years. Your fear tactics dont work. The only reason people are changing things now, GAS prices. The pocket book. Your overdone numbers and extremist attitude is what turns people off. CFLs are the start and they are a great start. We should not eat the bulb and we should have a bulb recycling program anyway. It does not cost 2000 bucks to sweep the bulb into a dust pan and put in a ziplock back and take it to a disposal center. Its better than a 35 dollar led. Its a start.

Posted by: kim on March 30, 2008 05:56 AM

I have been studying the mercury issue with CFL and I agree with Reese, Michael you may want to research more.
Mercury is a toxin. It takes more mercury to produce traditional/incadesant bulbs, than what is contained in a CFL. Mercury from a CFL bulb is not emitted until broken. Then unless five (for example) are broken in one unventilated room, and contained there, there is very little short term exposure, and no toxic effects. I do however agree that education about how to dispose in your local areas is a big key to going green.