Ban the Light?

Does what happen in Brussels stay in Brussels?

Restrictions on the import and sale of incandescent bulbs went into effect across most of Europe recently. The mission is to save energy and combat global warming. Retailers are selling off their stock of traditional bulbs until they run out, says The New York Times.

Lightbulb
Image by MartinPhotoSport via Flickr

Could a similar ban make sense on these shores? It might …Changing a light-bulb to a more energy-efficient CFL or LED can collectively make a significant difference. Yes, the bulbs are more expensive on the front-end but will pay for themselves in energy costs over the long haul. (In fact, depending on bulb, they last five or more years!)

Here are some ways to let the (energy-efficient) light shine

What do you think about a proposed ban on traditional light bulbs?

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Buh-Bye Coal?

The 2005 film Thank You For Smoking pulled back the veil on spinmeister marketing, exposing the evil genius behind big industry campaigns to hoodwink the American public into believing patent untruths about certain products. In that case it was about making cigarettes appear harmless, even sexy.

The attitude behind this approach is a belief that the American people will willingly buy into any line of bunk that an industry wants to sell if it sells it hard enough. It’s the old “repeat a lie often enough and it becomes a truth…” tactic. And that’s the very method the coal industry relies on in its grossly misleading campaign hawking so-called “clean coal.”

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Launch Event Feb. 4

National Teach-in on Global Warming Solutions

How the Green Economy Can Create Jobs, Business Opportunities, and a More Dynamic Community in Staunton

Green may have been the new black for the last few years, but with the incoming Obama administration promising $700 billion in its American Recovery and Reinvestment stimulus package, fighting global warming could soon become good business in cities of all sizes. Join Staunton Green 2020, for an evening of green education, discussion, and networking. (more…)

State’s Greenhouse Plan Needs Teeth

Our own Staunton News Leader ran a great editorial last week about the Governor’s emerging climate plan. “Kaine’s Commission on Climate Change is rightfully recommending that the Commonwealth cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050,” says the editorial. (more…)

A Lump of Clean Coal in Your Stocking

See the reality behind clean coal
Wherever you stand on the Santa Claus issue this holiday season — whether you blame ol’ St. Nick or dear ol’ dad for that lump of coal in your stocking — when it comes to clean coal, in reality, there’s no such thing. (more…)