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

Originally Posted by DMS

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

Enforcement isn't their problem. They are more concerned with complaining about the pollution they can see from their Ivory towers than opening the door coming and picking any of it up.

And apparently it's not just light bulbs that are destroying the planet, it's leaving your electrical equipment on standby instead of unplugging it at the wall

You know, I'm happy to do my part - I'll unplug the DVD player and swap my bulbs etc. But it is irksome when your government has a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude to this stuff. Australia has been ripping minerals out of the ground in places like Kakadu for years, and now we're meant to unplug the TV to save the planet?

James.