Help Change One Billion Bulbs!
Brian Huyser has a mission - help the world change 1 billion standard lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
Huyser started OneBillionBulbs.com after watching a documentary on global warming. The site helps track progress towards that goal across the globe. OBB is currently in "Phase 2" and as of the writing of this entry has tracked just under 19,000 bulb change-outs to date. This represents over a savings of over 1200 tons of CO2 emissions. Considering 70 million tons of CO2 are currently pumped into the atmosphere every day, this may sound like a small win, but it's a start!
Why change to CFLs?
"According to the federal government, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star approved compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), the United States would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars." - NPR.org
Take a moment to think about the magnitude of that statement... CFLs can be purchased for as cheap as $2 each (in a box of 4) at most home improvement stores. If you read this blog, chances are high that you spend more than that on a single Starbucks latte some time over the past year.
I've already changed several bulbs in my current house. In the new house I'm moving to in a couple of weeks, we've replaced all the hallway and bedroom light fixtures with fluorescent fixtures.
To date, the site has tracked just under 19,000 bulb change-outs. So to help encourage our readers to participate, I've created a "Friends of the Future" group at OneBillionBulbs.com. Please join our group and start logging your CFL purchases today!
This live chart chart tracks our group's progress to date. Remember, every bulb helps! Check back often to see how we're doing and tell your friends to join too!
I've also started a new CFL article that I'll keep up to date with information about the bulbs, how to pick the right ones for your house, and where you can find good deals on bulk purchases.
How many bulbs have you changed?