The ban on light bulbs will not bring major reduction in emissions -
probably less than one percent.
But it is still seen as significant because it signals
a willingness by the government to impose binding regulations
rather than relying on voluntary efforts to cut emissions.

DIM WIT LIGHT BULBS

The federal announcement was received with virtually no objection,
even though it represents a clear intervention in the marketplace
and fluorescent bulbs contain toxic mercury
posing risk to the environment.

Canada bans old-style light bulbs
by Dennis Bueckert, Canadian Press, Apr 27, 2007
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/742990.html

The light is fading on one of the great inventions of the 19th century, the incandescent bulb with its white-hot filament that sheds far more heat than light. The federal government has announced a plan to phase out inefficient light bulbs by 2012 to cut energy use and greenhouse emissions. Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn says the ban will eliminate more than six million tonnes in greenhouse pollution annually. "Using more energy-efficient light bulbs is a great example of a concrete action Canadians can take at home to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and save energy," said Environment Minister John Baird at a news conference Wednesday.

The ban on light bulbs will not bring a major reduction in Canada’s total emissions — probably less than one per cent. But it is still seen as significant because it signals a willingness by the government to impose binding regulations rather than relying on voluntary efforts to cut emissions.

It also allows the government to tap into a strong desire by voters to do something practical to contribute to environmental well-being.

The typical compact fluorescent light costs up to six times more than the standard incandescent bulb, which was perfected in 1879 by Thomas Edison. But the fluorescent lights last eight to 15 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt light bulb with a 24-watt fluorescent can save more than $50 in electricity over the life of the bulb. The most efficient bulbs use light-emitting diode technology, which consumes about 10 per cent of the energy of traditional incandescents.

The wattage of any type of light bulb refers to how much electricity it uses, not the amount of light it produces. Since almost all the electricity used by a light bulb ends up as heat, fluorescents will help ease the summertime cooling load on air conditioners.

The government’s announcement on fluorescents also jibes with the gas guzzler tax introduced in the last budget and the regulation to reduce greenhouse emissions from heavy industry to be announced today. Large emitters are said to be unhappy that the government is asking them to bear the burden of fighting climate change. Industrial polluters want consumers, who account for the other half of Canada’s emissions, to share more of the load. The move to ban inefficient light bulbs could go some way to address that concern.

Since fluorescent lights are more expensive than the conventional type, consumers will be paying a higher up-front cost although they will make it up in reduced electricity costs over the longer term.

Ottawa’s move is part of a major ongoing effort by the Conservative government to position itself as environmentally progressive, despite its rejection of the emissions-cutting targets of the Kyoto Protocol. The ban is virtually cost-free for the government, and the political path has already been broken by Australia, which announced a phase-out earlier this year. Nunavut, Ontario and California have taken similar measures.

It may be an indication of the strong support for environmental policies that the federal announcement was received with virtually no objection, even though it represents a clear intervention in the marketplace.

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner did voice worries about the environmental risk posed by toxic mercury contained in fluorescent lights. Penner has asked his staff for an analysis of what impact the additional mercury will have in waste management. Harry Taylor, senior vice-president of Home Depot Canada, the largest retailer of lights in Canada, said his company is working on a plan with Phillips Lighting to safely recycle fluorescents.

GOOD IDEA, BAD IDEA and F*CK OFF LIGHT BULB

Age of enlightenment. BBC, Mar 16, 2007
It's hard to think of another electrical component that is more affordable, ubiquitous and disposable; its influence more profound, than the familiar incandescent tungsten filament light bulb. It is largely unchanged from the one that Edison patented 127 years ago....

KYOTO = KILL YOUR OWN TOMORROWS

9.Keeping Masses Down and 22.Doublethink

Jackie Jura
~ an independent researcher monitoring local, national and international events ~

email: orwelltoday@gmail.com
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