Shining a light on global warming

Posted February 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 am by Lawrence Bender, Producer, "An Inconvenient Truth"

 22 Comments / Filed in: Guest Opinions, Trends & News

When I first saw Al Gore present his slideshow on global warming in L.A. in 2005, I thought we could create a tipping point from his message if we created a movie out of it. Today, I hope a new tipping point is making its debut.

So many people coming out of the theater after seeing “An Inconvenient Truth” told me how deeply affected they were and that they were looking to figure out what they could do to make a difference. It became clear to them from the overwhelming evidence that the debate about this climate crisis is over and it’s just a matter of “What can I do?”

My message today is this: You can do one thing right now and it only takes 18 seconds. That’s how long its takes to switch to an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). That simple action will put money in your pocket and at the same time reduce greenhouse gases and our dependence on energy. If every American swapped just one bulb, it would save more than $8 billion in energy costs, prevent the burning of 30 billion pounds of coal, and keep the equivalent of two million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere. We’d save enough energy to light more than 1.5 million homes for an entire year!

Today, a group of companies, government entities, non-profits, religious groups, academic institutions and individuals are launching a campaign to educate Americans about the cost-savings and environmental benefits of CFLs. 18Seconds.org is a movement about empowering the individual: Every person in America can literally change the world in one easy step.

If flickering, buzzing tubes come to mind when you think fluorescent, you’ll be surprised by today’s CFLs. They now rival the warm light of traditional incandescent bulbs and they work just about anywhere. They do cost more at the checkout counter (about $2.50), but you save it back in your electric bill in a matter of months. Simply put, CFLs are a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

Yahoo! has built a powerful tool in www.18seconds.org, which tracks data for CFL purchases nationally and locally. You will be able to see the amount of CFLs sold across the country, by city or state — along with the equivalent dollars, energy and greenhouse gas emissions saved. By the way, I have to give a shout-out to the amazing engineers who were given a sabbatical from their day jobs to pull it together. 18Seconds.org is a great feedback tool to see how we’re doing. AC Nielsen has collected purchase information for most grocery store, drug and mass merchandise retailers and is feeding it to the site. Hey, all you bloggers out there, grab the 18seconds badge and you’ll have your own personal ticker.

I believe the CFL is the Trojan horse into the minds of the American public — once you get somebody feeling good about making a difference while also saving money, you have them thinking about what else they can do. Every CFL represents an opportunity for ordinary people to take a stand.

Policymakers are beginning to embrace CFLs as an energy-saving solution. The Australian government just announced plans to ban incandescent bulbs in five years and similar legislation was proposed here in California by Assemblymember Lloyd Levine. And 12 U.S. mayors have already signed on to promote the 18Seconds mission in their respective cities — from San Jose to Seattle to Trenton. With proven cost savings and environmental benefits, and endorsements from leading scientists, non-profits, corporations and government entities, the popularity of CFLs is reaching a tipping point.

Global warming is potentially the greatest threat we’re facing this century. There’s a lot that has to be done. We need more fuel-efficient cars; more solar, wind and other renewable-energy technologies; and reduced carbon emissions from manufacturers. But don’t underestimate the power of simple collective actions. Change a bulb, change everything. Today.

(And weigh in on my Yahoo! Answers question today with your creative ideas on growing the movement.)

Lawrence Bender
Producer, “An Inconvenient Truth”

Photo from tedconferencephotos

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22 Comments Add your own

tara | February 22nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm

what is the point of this website?

Raina Schnaiter | February 22nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm

Hi, I just was on the 18seconds.org. wow so ENLIGHTINENING!
one typo though…in the graphic, it says “Have energy and cash flow now by changing…” I believe it should say Save energy and cash flow? Just thought you would want to know. I make websites too and I am always looking out for stuff! Thanks Raina

Paul Stamatiou | February 22nd, 2007 at 11:48 pm

Wow this is a cool site, very original concept.

Kevan Pegley | February 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 am

Raina, if you’re going to point out typos and make websites, you really ought to learn how to spell ENLIGHTENING!!

Nicki Dugan | February 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 am

Tara: Is that a literal or rhetorical question? If literal, it’s to motivate people to switch from incandescent (traditional) light bulbs to compact fluorescents by showing you how much energy, greenhouse gas and money people can save each time someone buys a bulb. Millions of simple individual actions can make a huge difference. Doesn’t that get you fired up?

Nicki Dugan | February 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 am

Raina: Thanks for the catch. I guess that does change the context a bit, eh? Will pass along.

John Dowdell | February 23rd, 2007 at 8:16 am

While there’s plenty wrong with the “global warming” campaign (do a search on phrase “an inconvenient question” to confirm), there’s nothing wrong with moving to more efficient processes like better lights… Buckminster Fuller called it “ephemeralization”, and it seems an inevitable path for us to pursue.

The problem is that global-warming puppetry is designed to force other people to act in certain ways. That’s why that manipulation of evidence is dangerous.

The lightbulbs are fine, though.

Daniel | February 24th, 2007 at 12:35 am

It’s a great idea, i just passed by another Yahoo! website that talks about this too a few mins ago i was amazed about it, it’s good to know how a little change can have such great benefits.

One thing though, i understand this CFL bulbs contain mercury, and you do warn about it, but not enough i think, you should make clearer that issue and how not to trade global warming with mercury infiltrating the soil all over the place.

Check out this link: http://digg.com/environment/18_Seconds_Can_Change_The_World#c5383576

i have nothing to do with the guy who submitted the page nor with the guy who made the comment.

Daniel.

Nicolas | February 25th, 2007 at 10:11 am

Nice idea!
I would have appreciated to find a global analysis of the benefits of CFL bulbs vs classic bulbs, from manufacturing to recycling. Indeed, I find critical to have the global ecological footprint from end to end, before pushing everyone to adopt CFL bulbs.

Scott Smith | February 26th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

Add Canada!

Don | February 28th, 2007 at 12:51 pm

Gore a Hypocrite Over Power Bill
The group said that Gore used nearly 221,000 kilowatt hours last year and that his average monthly electric bill was $1,359. Johnson said his group got its figures from Nashville Electric Service.

Don | February 28th, 2007 at 12:52 pm

See the whole story
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/02/27/D8NIGG3O0.html

Nicki Dugan | February 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm

Daniel - There are indeed mercury issues with CFLs, which the site touches on to some degree. CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury (less than a thermometer) that must be recycled. Unfortunately many municipalities don’t have recycling programs and the industry needs to lead an effort to resolve the issue. But at the end of the day, CFLs prevent substantially more mercury from entering the atmosphere than the alternative — the incandescent bulbs that consume 2/3 more energy from the coal-burning power plants that emit mercury.

Here’s an interesting analysis of the mercury conundrum: http://www.nwcurrent.com/efficiency/5266341.html

Tom | March 6th, 2007 at 8:30 pm

Not all Reds are Green, but it’s not just the color-blind that have trouble telling the difference. What is the political agenda behing the hype? Check out the website: 4globalwarming.com–it might not be all bad.

Sun Tzu | March 7th, 2007 at 7:59 pm

Our good friend Mr. Webster defines liberal as :” broad minded; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms”. He then goes on to define facism as: “a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition”

The finest Madison Avenue advertising firm could not have devised a better tag line for today’s Democratic Party than did Merriam Webster. Severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. This could be the footer on all DNC letterhead. So you see, what we call liberals today, are not liberal at all. They are narrow-minded fascists.

What better example could one cite that the absurd anthropogenic global warming issue. It was invented to implement severe economic and social regimentation. Those scientists who dare question it are being forcibly suppressed. I thank God that all male liberals are essentially eunuchs and wouldn’t have a clue about using a firearm. Otherwise, I’m afraid there would be many dead climatologists lying about.

Sun Tzu | March 7th, 2007 at 8:02 pm

PS I predict my post will be deleted within 15 minutes.

phizzpop | March 7th, 2007 at 8:04 pm

Hi Everyone:

Great discussion.

What really is ASTONISHING to me is that nobody seems to be talking about the biggest contributors to greenhouse cases, and thus global warming:

Cattle emissions contribute more to greenhouse gases and global warming than all the transportation in the world combined!

http://www.monkeytypesthebible.com/2007/02/cattle-emissions-contribute-more-to.html

I used to work with Ralph Nader and he always said the most important stories are under reported. He is still right!

Ed Kirshner | March 19th, 2007 at 5:23 am

Let’s see. Electric power generation produces about 10 pounds of mercury a year in California. If all the incandescent bulbs were replaced by CFLs there, it would save a few to several ounces of mercury a year. However, all those CFLs would have well over a ton of the toxic stuff in them. Who said CFLs reduce mercury?

The EPA estimates that about 90% of the mercury in fluorescents never makes it to the landfill. Lost on the way somewhere.

One CFL has more than enough mercury in it to contaminate a typical bedroom based on California workplace standards. I wonder what those standards should be for infants, toddlers and pregnant women?

Until the mercury problem can be solved, maybe CFLs should be outlawed in states like California where the mercury balance is significantly negitive.

Mike Welsch | May 11th, 2007 at 11:18 am

Switching out incandescent bulbs to energy efficient CFLs is a great first step to reduce global warming. Now, you need to take the next step to protect the environment. Visit http://www.recycleyourcfl.com to
learn more.

Art Kind | May 16th, 2007 at 5:23 pm

We have been using these compact fluorescent light bulbs and other energy saving ones for a while.
You can find a wide selection at http://www.interlight.biz

Raina Schnaiter | August 3rd, 2007 at 7:47 am

Thanks for pointing out my “typpo” kevin!
that is really funny! i was just tyring to bee helpfull!! :)

global warming | August 19th, 2007 at 6:21 am

global warming is becoming such a obvious problem that someone somewhere other than Al Gore needs to step up to help drive the bus!