Shoutbox

I have mostly CFLs, but I also recognize that obsession with switching to CFLs is attacking the problem the wrong way.  The CFL reduction in energy consumption and consecutively greenhouse gases is nothing compared to industrial and vehicle emissions.  That is where the real difference is going to be made.

I am not going to argue against the notion that "every little bit counts", but something to keep in mind is that, if you live in a fully electric home (electric heating/AC, electric stove) like I do, lighting is probably less than 5% of your total electricity usage regardless what bulbs you have.  You could realize much greater energy savings by upgrading your windows and outer wall insulation -- which might mean moving and paying more for your new home.

I pay more for "green" electricity (wind generated, they say).  My power company tells me on every bill how much it helps the environment, using several criteria -- one of which is car miles not driven.  On my last bill, my "car miles not driven" were around 135 (~215 km) for the month.  That's a whole month of total electricity usage, on which CFLs have made no more than 5% difference.  Assuming they are right in their calculations, I can help the Earth more by making one fewer trip to the grocery store every month than I can by switching to CFLs.

The point is we are focusing on the wrong things -- things which at best are going to dent the total greenhouse gas emissions by a fraction of a percent globally.  Meanwhile, we are not doing anything about the big culprits (because doing something about those would mean lost profits for big business and lifestyle sacrifices for everyone).