Compact Fluorescent Bulb(CFL) Adoption Quickly Gaining Support

Due to the enormous potential to increase energy savings and reduce pollution, various organizations and companies have undertaken a variety of creative measures to encourage the adoption of CFLs. In addition, governments across the globe are considering strong measures to encourage adoption of CFLs or to even entirely displace incandescents. Some countries have proposed efforts that involve tax measures, while others have gone further by instituting bans on future production of incandescent light bulbs. Ireland will be the first country to implement a ban in 2009 and Australia will phase out incandescent lights by 2010. USA and Canada have also committed to phasing out incandescent lights starting in 2012.

Following is a summary of activities encouraging the adoption of CFLs:

Voluntary Measures to Encourage Adoption of CFLs

In Canada, there is an effort to get every household to change at least one incandescent light to CFL in several provinces. The Ontario Power Authority has a voluntary program providing immediate cash rebates via coupons for the purchase of CFLs.
The U.S. Environmental Defense launched a campaign in 2006 called ‘Make the Switch’ to encourage the public to switch from incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent lamps. It asked every house hold to replace three 60-watt incandescent lamps with CFLs. Environmental Defense claims that if every US household were to do this, the change could reduce pollution as much as taking 3.5 million cars off the road.

In February 2007, the 18seconds campaign was launched with leaders from business, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to increase awareness of energy-efficient lamps as a way to slow global climate change. The coalition was named 18seconds to reflect the amount of time it takes for one person to change a lamp. To coincide with the launch of this campaign, a web site 18seconds.org was created that will track lamp sales and energy savings nationwide and encourage lamp-switching competition between states and cities.

Another website, Onebillionbulbs.com, is behind a campaign to replace one billion incandescent lamps with CFLs across the U.S. The site has a fifty-state map; each state is a certain color from white to green. The closer to green, the closer to the state's goal.
In the Netherlands, Greenpeace is attempting to mobilize people to Change 1 million light bulbs to CFLs.

Government Efforts to Encourage Adoption of CFLs

United States of America

On December 18, 2007 President Bush signed an energy bill into law which encourages conservation with light bulbs and greener buildings. The law includes phasing out inefficient incandescent light bulbs within four to six years and requires higher efficiency standards for appliances. Kateri Callahan, president of Alliance to Save Energy, figures the lighting standards will save consumers more than $13 billion by 2020 and eliminate the need for about 60 mid-sized power plants. Several organizations are heralding the law as the most progressive since the 1990 updates to the Clean Air Act.

A bill which would ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs in California by California State Assembly member Jared Huffman (D-Santa Rosa) was signed by Governor Schwarzeneger on October 12, 2007. A few days later, Connecticut state Representative Mary M. Mushinsky (D-Wallingford) proposed a similar ban for the state of Connecticut. On February 8, 2007, New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill that calls for the state to switch to fluorescent lighting in government buildings over the next three years. On October 1, 2007, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin named October 1 "Change a Light, Change the World Day”

CFLs are now poised to become the dominant form of lighting in the U.S.A. in the coming years and promises to give us a brighter future!

Australia

On February 20, 2007, the Federal Government announced that incandescent light bulbs will be banned in Australia by 2010, making it the first country in the world to announce such a ban. It is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by 800,000 tonnes (Australia's current emission total is 564.7 million tonnes), a saving of approximate 0.14%.

Belgium

The environment minister is intent on banning incandescent light-bulbs, and thinks the ban on incandescent light-bulbs should be included in the list of measures under the Kyoto Protocol and this position is supported by the former energy minister.

Canada

The federal government announced on April 25, 2007 that they would ban the sale of incandescent lamps in Canada by 2012. Canada will save an estimated CA$ 3-4 billion over the lifetime of the new bulbs.

European Union

The European Union has proposed a ban on incandescent light bulbs, planned to come into effect in the near future, but this will not affect existing incandescent bulbs, only the production of new bulbs.

Finland

The iSwedish People's Party has posted a bill on September 26, 2007 for banning incandescent light bulbs in Finland by 2011. It is estimated that this will would save Finland around 200,000 tons on carbon dioxide emissions.

Germany

The environment minister has urged the European Commission to ban inefficient light bulbs in the EU in the fight against global warming. The EU could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25 million tons a year if energy saving light bulbs such as CFLs were used in both consumer and commercial applications.

Great Britain

The government announced plans to phase out the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2011. Retailers will not replace 150 watt bulbs from January 2008, 100 watt bulbs from January 2009, 40 watt bulbs in 2010, and all remaining high power bulbs by 2011. These plans are voluntary, however they have wide support from retailers. This initiative has been criticized by environmental groups such as Greenpeace, and other political parties, who think mandatory measures should be introduced. Current building regulations also require some light fixtures in new homes to be specially designed to only take CFLs. These fittings have a 2- or 4-pin socket, instead of the usual bayonet or screw fitting.

Ireland

On 6 December 2007, the environmental minister announced that Ireland would stop using incandescent bulbs by January 2009, making it the first country to implement such a ban. These changes will result in savings of 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from residential lighting and will result in Irish consumers saving over €185 million a year in electricity costs.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is moving ahead with plans to ban incandescent light bulbs as well. The environment minister wants a ban on incandescent light-bulbs by 2011.

New Zealand

The Climate Change Minister indicated that New Zealand is considering similar measures to Australia regarding the ban on incandescent light bulbs.

Pakistan

The government of Pakistan has repeatedly asked the public to use fluorescent lamps during the 2007 summer season.