Dropped like a hot light bulb

What a hot topic the incandescent light bulb ban became in the run-up to the last election. It was held up as a key exhibit in the case against the Labour government with many people complaining that Labour's intention to phase-out out incandescent bulbs typified their so-called ‘nanny state’ approach.

The Government promptly repealed the ban when they came into office. On the subject, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said the Government had "real concerns about telling people they have to move to energy-efficient light bulbs by decree...this Government believes it is a matter of consumer choice." What? Governments have decreed things incessantly since the beginning of time, that's what they exist for. The current Government would have no compunction about limiting choice if it suited their agenda so saying it is a matter of consumer choice is disingenuous. It also sends the signal that it’s individual choice for people to despoil the environment or not.

Many people don't like being told what to do even when it's good for them. Most of these people are teenagers! There seems to be plenty of others, though, who never grew up. Do these same people also rail against wearing seat belts, schooling their children, building safe houses and licensing firearms? Or is it just compact fluorescent light bulbs?

Consumer choice is ruining this planet.

Choice is not a right, especially if it opposes the greater good. Part of the role of any Government is to balance the sometimes-competing demands of individual rights and of the common good; thousands of regulations and laws exist to protect both. This balancing act is most difficult in cases where there are equal claims on both sides – there are plenty of cases like that but CFL use is not one.

CFLS are a 'no-brainer'. Good CFLs use one-fifth the energy of an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light. This means their running cost is one fifth and their CO2 emissions are one fifth. They might cost several times more to purchase but they last several times longer. CFLs are now available in a wide variety of shapes (including globes), hues and brightness. Some models can be dimmed. They do contain mercury, which is a hazard, but this can be safely recycled. They will continue to get cheaper and better.

As well as making no sense on any level the Government’s about-turn on this initiative puts us that much more out of step with the rest of the world. Australia is planning to ban sales of incandescent light bulbs from next year and the UK is to start phasing them out too. In fact, the choice to buy incandescent bulbs is going to be reduced soon because China, which produces 70% of the world’s supply, is also planning to ban their use domestically.

We don't need random leadership, we need strong leadership based on sustainability – namely looking after the needs of all of the people of today as well as the people of the future.

Posted by Michae Lockhart on 21st April, 2009 | Comments (1) | Trackbacks
Tags: General Sustainability, Scoop article, Government

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Comments

Pls check facts before ranting

CFLs do NOT save 80% - that's just manufacturer propaganda which few seem to have bothered double-checking before regurgitating.

CFLs contain mercury, are no where near environmentally-friendly and cause more problems than they solve.

The ones that can be dimmed are ridiculously expensive and dimming them only makes the already poor quality light even more grey and dull.

Comparing CFLs to useful things like seat belts and other safety measures is just ridiculous! By their mercury content CFLs pose a health threat both in use and after disposal unless safely recycled. Many people also dislike or feel unwell from their poorer quality light and should not be robbed of an alternative they tolerate better. If anything, it's the CFLs that should be banned.

In Europe, some of us look to NZ as the last bastion of sanity on this suddenly CFL-crazed planet. A craze which is the result of a carefully constructed global PR-campaign to sell a product that generates much more profit than the old incandescent bulb.

Do you get paid for writing CFL PR-articles or have you, like so many other green idealists all over the world, been so persuaded by the propaganda that you don't mind helping others make a profit for free, thinking you are doing a good thing?

Please check my site for more details + referenced facts and figures to prove my statements here, and see if you still think CFLs is a good idea.

Posted on 2 May, 2009 by Halogenica

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