Ask:
Australia has banned the traditional light-bulb.
Is this a good idea?
I like the *idea* of it but I'm not sure making it a law is the way to go.
What are your thoughts?
Simple living is often tied to environmental issues so I thought this would be a good place to ask.
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I have mixed feelings on this. I think it's great in principal. We are slowly converting to the new bulbs as the others burn out but have found a couple of places that it just doesn't work. One is a table lamp in our living room. We have had 2 "new" bulbs in it in the last 3 months. The lamp gets knocked over and the bulb gets broken. It's not a cost savings to change to bulb that often. Bulbs that are up high and out of reach are perfect to change over and we've done about 10 so far.
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I think it's good. If everyone did it, it would do a lot for the environment.
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No No No. Another case where the govt. has good intentions, but doesn't do the research needed. California is proposing this, also. Many have complained about the much higher initial cost (I have lightbulbs in my home that have been here working the entire 12 years, still going strong - regular bulbs), others complain about the quality of light, and some people, especially w/sensory disorders, don't do well w/flourescents. Not a good idea. Let us have the choice, and let the marketplace force the manufacturers to improve their product.
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I can see your point on that too.
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Originally Posted by desertmom
Let us have the choice, and let the marketplace force the manufacturers to improve their product.
The problem is that the majority of people don't care enough about the environment to make choices based on what is better for the environment and instead, make choices based on other things, like cost or convenience. Then, we end up with millions of people continuing to do things that harm the earth b/c there is no incentive to change - or not enough incentive.
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If it's been scientifically proven these help the environment then I'd support it. But I WOULD want to see it proven (not by Al Gore ) and I think there would have to be a fairly long wean in phase. Lots of people wouldn't want to have to replace all their light bulbs in such a short period, but I think phasing it in slowly would be okay.
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My problem with compact flourescent lightbulbs...
I HAVE INSOMNIA!!!
I've mentioned in other threads on this subject that we've been switching over to compact flourescent lightbulbs. I like them because the light is 'bluer' than incandescent bulbs which tend to be yellow.
Lately, I've been having a horrible time with insomnia. I've had insomnia all my life so that's no surprise but lately it has gotten much worse. I've been so sleepy during the day then the moment I turn out the lights I'm wide awake. My circadian rhythm was completely out of wack. I did a little research and it turns out exposure to bright light - especially blue spectrum light - during the evening hours signals our brain to be more awake. Well, WHEN DO YOU THINK WE TURN ON OUR LIGHTS MORE?!?!? In the evening, of course! So, all I can conclude is all those extra bright full spectrum compact flourescents are just keeping me awake at night.
I've started a routine where I have a timer automatically turn on a bedside lamp about a 1/2 hour before I need to get up in the morning. This is supposed to help me wake up and be more awake during the day. I also have been consciously NOT turning on any lamps with compact flourescents - or being around them for an extended period of time (20 minutes can have an effect) - after 6pm. So far I'm still having problems sleeping but I just started to do this so I'm hopeful.
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WoW! I wonder if blue spectrum affects your seratonin......
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Dh and I are going to do this, slowly, When they make them that they can be dimmed. We use dimmed lights a Lot around here and I understand not all the new ones you can get now can be dimmed. That just wouldn't work for us. So when they do, we'll get on the band wagon too.