I just read an interesting article from the FastCompany.com entitled "How Many Lightbulbs Does it take to Change the World? One. And you're looking at it" about how small actions can have a dramatic impact on larger issues.
The article itself revolves around the idea of replacing a single incandescent light bulb with a high efficiency CFL, or Compact Fluorescent Lamp. .
It's a simple concept really. The next time that you have a traditional light bulb burn out (of which I have had happen three times in just the past week), replace it with an equivalent CFL instead. It will cost more up front (between $2-$3), but most models have a life expectancy of at least 5 years. Many can last up to 8 years!
Don't worry about the initial cost though. Within about 5 months you will have recovered your initial cost in energy savings. How's that? Each CFL consumes about 75% less energy than it's equivalent incandescent bulb. If every home in the US, approximately 110 million of them, replaced just one traditional light bulb with a CFL, it would be the equivalent of taking 1.3 million cars off the road in terms of oil not used or greenhouse gases not emitted.
The article continues, stating that the average home contains about 50 - 100 light 'receptacles' or places that a light bulb can be screwed in. At first I thought this number was a little high, but I started a mental count of all the light bulbs in my home and ended up with about 35. I would have more, but I have fluorescent lights in my basement and office.
Imagine the energy savings in my own home by replacing all of these old lights with CFL's? Now imagine if all 110 million homes in America did the same?
We owe it to the next generation to take this simple step to start cutting our energy costs and help combat Global Warming. Even if you don't believe Global Warming is a threat, what harm comes from taking this step? At worst, you will have some extra money in your pocket.
Small changes can make a big difference. Make a change. Make a difference.
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