Environmentalists have been pedalling the climate change line for a while. They have been telling us that we need to change the way we use energy in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. One of the main ways they prescribe to achieve change is to swap our 60-watt incandescent light globes with 15-watt fluorescent light globes. Sounds harmless, perhaps even a good idea, but they neglected to inform the public of one very important detail. Apart from being dull in light emittance, these fluoros contain mercury, a very potent and toxic chemical.
These globes do last a lot longer than regular globes but when they do blow they need to be disposed of properly otherwise we are looking at arguably greater environmental damage. The problem is that you can’t guarantee that everyone will dispose of the globes in the proper fashion or even be aware of the methods for disposal. In the same way no one could make all smokers dispose of their butts responsibly, no matter how hard people tried. However, I think mercury would be more damaging than cigarette butts. I would like to think that people after taking the step to obtain the new globes would become aware of the methods of disposal and to act on those methods when the time comes.
If disposed with the normal rubbish these globes end up in landfill. They would no doubt crack open under the weight of machinery and more rubbish. This allows the mercury to seep out into the soil and potentially into our water supply when it rains.
Companies handing out free light globes have an agenda, and it’s not always to help the environment and helping you in the process. The light globes might be free to you but they still get payed through a carbon-trading scheme. The federal opposition is pushing such schemes. Does anyone really know what carbon trading involves? Or are we all just going along for the ride because it sounds like a good idea?
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3 comments:
I'm curious hammer, why are you so skeptical about anything vaguely environmental? have you read any of the relevant research? if you have and have made an informed judgement, fair enough, but i'm curious why you are so anti.
regarding lightbulbs, 2nd generation lightbulbs (the low energy ones that look like fingers or curly-wurly things) do contain about 5mg of mercury (from memory) which is enough to contaminate groundsoil if the two outer layers are broken. That's why they are meant to be recycled because even mercury can be reused in various applications. certainly there are issues if they are just whacked in the rubbish, but the same applies with mobiles and old tungsten lightbulbs to an extent etc. That's why new 3rd gen lightbulbs, like newer mobiles, computers, even shoes, are reengineered to not require toxic things. the main idea behind the free lightbulbs as far as i know is to show people the little ways that can make a big difference if everyone does it (both on the power bill and the environmental footprint). things like changing lightbulbs, turning off standby items, ditching the fridge in the garage are the start of mindset changes that will be needed to meet any emission reduction targets.
if we wanna 'save the whales' and fix the environment these lefties should be campaigning for nuclear energy as it is the cleanest form. but nooo we might end up like commie russians and all become mutants. boo hoo. these environmentalists are all talk and no action. they are all about the government doing everything for them. they can cram kyoto up their rears and i couldnt give a stuff about light bulbs.....im all about the cash...
XD
kegz
Joel, I'm not completely anti environmentalism, just anti some of the methods of environmentalists.
Thanks for the science lesson on the contents of the new generation lightglobes.
Fact is I was pretty dirty when I heard that these new globes were potentially hazardous to the environment. It reeked of ulterior motive to me and having a hidden agenda.
Other groups are all about just lobbying government to do something such as the live earth brigade (see Danny's Blog).
I was cheering however when I saw an add for Planet Ark who are actually doing something for the environment. They have their Plant a Tree Day coming up soon which will do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than any worldwide concert. Planet Ark also recycle ink cartridges and Christmas Cards. An environmental group who I can support because they are doing something worthwhile.
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