Thread: A nice piece of stupidity!!

I would like to hear your opinions about this little tidbit I just found out about:


I live in a more liberal town where we try to be "environmentally friendly". They are now trying to require the use of florescent (compact or otherwise) bulbs everywhere they can.

Not too uncommon yet,. but..

This is the same town that banned the sale of mecury thermometers here a decade ago because of the dangers associated with that element.

anyone else wonder at the illogic here?

Although, without argument, the CFL's use a ton less power I too have wondered about the overall environmental impact of these bulbs.
They are an order of magnitude more complex to build (requiring the shipping of far more raw materials/components one would assume) and disposal does seem an issue.

As for the mercury issue though, a thermometer contains a heck of a lot more than a CFL.

Also if they never banned the large florescent tubes, encouraging the use of CFL's is certainly not out of line (they likely containing less mercury than tubes as they are simply smaller).

Originally Posted by Geoff

Although, without argument, the CFL's use a ton less power I too have wondered about the overall environmental impact of these bulbs.
They are an order of magnitude more complex to build (requiring the shipping of far more raw materials/components one would assume) and disposal does seem an issue.

As for the mercury issue though, a thermometer contains a heck of a lot more than a CFL.

Also if they never banned the large florescent tubes, encouraging the use of CFL's is certainly not out of line (they likely containing less mercury than tubes as they are simply smaller).

They are not actually "encouraging it" (they already do) but trying to require it, by law, and not only in public buildings either. They also name florescents in the proposal, leaving any future developments like LED's or others not yet conceived in the same boat as incandescents. this is no small part of my angst.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

They are not actually "encouraging it" (they already do) but trying to require it, by law, and not only in public buildings either.

So how do they propose to enforce this law - by coming into your home for inspections?

Big governement solutions to marketplace decisions simply do not have a track record of success. The light bulb police are scarier than they are funny - does anyone remember personal property rights anymore?

In other areas were I have heard of this sort of thing; they don't actually stop you from using other bulbs them they simply ban local stores from selling incandescents.

I hadn't heard of anywhere enforcing a rule against using incandescents in private homes, just making it a pain to purchase them locally.

I certainly wouldn't put it beyond some areas to try an all out ban of course.

Bumper stickers.....you need bumper stickers!...

'You Can Have My Incandescent Bulb
When You Pry It From My Cold, Dead Fingers!'

or

'Real Light Doesn't Flicker'

Governments typically cower in fear at the thought of a good bumper sticker campaign.

-whatever

-Lou

San Francisco banned plastic grocery bags, others in the area are looking into it... Goofy buggers...

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

San Francisco banned plastic grocery bags, others in the area are looking into it... Goofy buggers...

Why not just ban groceries....wouldn't THAT solve the problem?

(...It's called thinking OUTSIDE of the box!....you know...go right to the ROOT of the problem!...)

-whatever

-Lou

I think at some point we're meant to be making the switch to Fluoro bulbs - I must admit I don't give it much attention. Our house if full of halogens anyway....

Have they made an environmentally friendly version of a halogen yet? I hope not - halogens are expensive enough as it is....

Bumper sticker:

"I pass an electrical current through a thin filament suspended in a vacuum to prevent oxidisation, thus releasing photons in thermodynamic equilibrium.....AND I VOTE!!"

James.