Eco-Friendly Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Just how environmentally friendly are these little odd-shaped fluorescent light bulbs? You might be surprised.

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to help prevent global warming from going any further, and that is definitely a good thing. Yes, we all need to do our own part, in some small way. We must all face the fact that our planet is in trouble. However, you don't really see governments playing that big of a part in the fight themselves. How could they? Firstly, they themselves may have to live with fewer luxuries. Secondly, it would start a global, economic disaster if they did what they really need to do. Unfortunately, the obvious solutions would put a lot of people out of work, such as car factories (for there are far too many gas guzzling vehicles on the roads adding to the green house effect). We need to find ways to reduce our dependence on the petroleum industry, however, as we all know, world economy is based on oil. The economies of many countries would come crashing down. Governments would lose their credibility and be toppled if these solutions were implemented.

So, what do governments do to show that they are actually participating in the fight to curb global warming? They attack the dastardly incandescent light bulb! At least this way, they can at least show that they are doing something. They inform us that the new bulbs will last ten times what the old incandescent bulbs have. We won't have to change our light bulbs for the next seven to ten years. With this small step, there won't be trillions upon trillions of the incandescent bulbs showing up in the land fills. This way, people won't be using nearly as much power to light their homes. It all sounds well and good, and something that everyone can do to take part in fighting global warming.... or is it?

I myself, have not jumped on this bandwagon and don't plan to until there is absolutely no other choice. By the year 2010, incandescent bulbs will no longer be in production and will be pulled from store shelves. Consumers will only be able to purchase fluorescent bulbs. However, from the very moment they were brought to world attention, I discovered that these new little fluorescent bulbs contain mercury (not much was mentioned about that fact at the onset). Now, haven't we been trying to fight and reduce the use of mercury for decades already? We have banned its use from all other products because of its harmful effects on the environment and on humans. We've been trying to rid our lakes and rivers of it because it had been showing up in the fish we eat. So now we put mercury in these new little light bulbs, telling the public that the traces are so minute, it doesn't really have an impact.

My question from the very start has been... if trillions of these fluorescent light bulbs are being sold and used in all our homes and buildings, and they all start to burn out at the very same time, seven or ten years from now, what impact is that going to have on the environment? Have they thought about that? Or will that be a problem for the governments to contend with when the time comes? Not to mention, what if some of these bulbs are dropped? I'm certain quite a few will be. I'm sure they will break. What becomes of the mercury? But of course, my main concern is the disposal of these bulbs and how the environment will be affected in seven years time. One bulb won't have much of an impact, but trillions of them will. This mercury is bound to find its way into the soil, and possibly our water supplies.

Now, lets look at the effects of mercury. It affects our brain and spinal cord. It impairs brain function and damages the nervous system. It can shut down vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and lungs. It creates shortness of breath, muscle aches and fevers. Young children who are affected by mercury poisoning can lose so much of their learning capacity. Will we be overwhelmed with these conditions when these new fluorescent bulbs all start burning out at the very same time, seven to ten years from now?

In my opinion, governments need to look at other ways of tackling the global warming situation. It doesn't mean that they have to attack or shut down industry, as the economy does rely on it. But there are still so many other ways that governments and individuals can reduce their electrical consumption and dependency on fossil fuels. We should be focusing on these other ways, possibly something with a little more significance than just light bulbs.

I'm just not sure that changing over to fluorescent bulbs is the way to go, knowing the negative may just far outweigh the positive in years to come.