Background to the Change a Million Light Bulbs Campaign

More and more evidence is being uncovered that reinforces the effects of climate change on the planet. Rather than reproduce all the evidence here, follow the following link for a well written coverage of the climate change science and background.

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/science

Recently the Australian Government announced that they will be banning incandescent light bulbs within the next three years as part of a measure towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 800,000 tonnes per year.

http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/news/article.aspx?ID=661

Why?

Regular incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient.  Up to 95% of the energy consumed by an incandescent light bulb produces heat, not light. 

By changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs up to 75% less energy can be used per bulb.

If less energy is being used then your energy bills are less, and less energy is required to be produced by the coal-powered power stations.

- If less energy is required to be produced then

- less water is used by the power stations,

- less mercury is sent into the atmosphere from the burnt coal,

- less greenhouse gases are produced

Coal Power Stations		Power Lines		Home
(less SO2, CO, CO2, H2O, NO, etc)		(Energy loss in delivery)		(save $, energy)

Most Australians obtain their electricity from coal-fired power stations. 60% of the energy contained in the coal that is burnt to heat the water to create steam that drives the turbines is lost as heat waste. 10% of the remaining energy is lost in transmitting the power to our homes and factories. If we use incandescent light bulbs up to 95% of the remaining energy is lost as heat. This leaves 5% coming out as light.

If we consider that we began with 100 units of energy in the coal by the time we see the light we have wasted 97 units of energy. Not very smart huh

But Why Reduce Energy?

Climate change is caused by an increase in the greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases absorb heat leaving the earth and return some of it, making the earth warmer overall.

Before the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere were consistently between 260 and 280 parts per million (ppm). In recent times human activities have increased the concentration to 380 ppm—that's an increase of more than a third!

The main greenhouse gases generated by human activity are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as some manufactured gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and some of their replacements.

Research by the world's scientists, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, suggests that:

• On average, the Earth is warming. Its temperature has already risen by around 0.7°C over the past hundred years, and may rise by between 1.4 and 5.8°C this century.
• Sea levels are rising as oceans expand and glaciers and ice sheets melt— by 2100 sea levels may be from 9 to 88 centimetres higher.
• Changes in weather patterns , such as more severe droughts, heat waves, floods and storms; changes in rainfall patterns; and higher likelihood of bushfires.
• Adverse impacts on plants, animals and human health as climate patterns shift.
• Australia is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
• Globally, the 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1990. And 2005 was Australia 's warmest year on record, 1.1°C above the average for the period 1961 to 1990.

When you cut your greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy, you'll also save money on energy bills .

Each tonne of greenhouse gas avoided will save between $130 and $470 depending on the type of energy used (exact savings will depend on the price you pay for each type of energy).

For more information see: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/gwci/index.html

But why change to compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs?

Amongst the options for low wattage lighting, the technology of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is the most developed and is at a price per unit that most people can afford. LED Downlights have been developing enormously and in many applications LED can adequately replace your downlights. The two biggest benefits are they are very low wattage and they are a far lower fire hazard (because they emit less heat) than normal downlights.

Advantages of compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs:

• They use far less electricity.
• They reduce air pollution (including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and mercury)
• They reduce CO2 emissions.
• They give off little heat (making your home cooler).
• They last much longer (from 4 - 13 years).
• They are cheaper in the long run.
• They can also come in dimmable and downlight versions.
  

Disadvantages of compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs:

• Turning them on and off regularly (such as in a hallway) reduces their life.
• CFLs contain mercury which needs to be re-cycled correctly (LED do not contain mercury)
• They are more expensive than regular bulbs
• The light they emit is different than normal incandescents.