In some parts of the world, plastic bags, Hummers, and energy inefficient light bulbs are things of an uncivilized past.
No wonder Europe likes to make fun of us. :/
Europe? All of them?
Or do you mean Greece (bankrupt)? Or Spain (bankrupt)? Or Portugal (bankrupt)? Or Italy (bankrupt)? Or Iceland (bankrupt)?
Why should we give a shit what Europeans think of us?
Asia
[edit]India
While not a complete ban, the plan is to replace 400 million incandescent light bulbs with CFLs by 2012. The energy savings and resultant carbon emissions savings is expected to be around 55 million tonnes per year [8]
The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in India have banned the use of incandescent bulbs in government departments, public sector undertakings, various boards, cooperative institutions, local bodies, and institutions running on government aid.[9][10]
[edit]Philippines
In February 2008, president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for a ban of incandescent light bulbs by 2010 in favor of more energy-efficient fluorescent globes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and household costs during her closing remarks at the Philippine Energy Summit. Once put in effect, the country will be the first in Asia to do so.[11]
[edit]Malaysia
The Government will stop all production, import and sales of incandescent light bulbs by or before January 2014, as part of efforts to save power and to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.[7]
[edit]Europe
[edit]European Union
The initial Europe wide ban only applies to general-purpose, non-directional incandescent bulbs, so does not affect any bulbs with reflective surfaces (e.g. spotlights and halogen down lighters) or special purpose bulbs including those used in ovens, fridges, traffic lights, infrared lamps etc. The sale of the most inefficient bulbs will be phased out. The first types to go are non-clear (frosted) bulbs, which would be off the market by September 2009. Also from September 2009 clear bulbs over 100W must be made of more efficient types. This limit will be moved down to lower wattages, and the efficiency levels raised by the end of 2012.[12] Also, the EU has given the target of 2016 to phase out halogen bulbs, and any bulb available for purchase after the 2016 date must have at least a 'B' energy rating.[13] The Finnish parliament discussed banning sales of incandescent light bulbs by the beginning of 2011.[14]
[edit]Ireland
The Irish government was the first European Union (EU) member state to stop the sale of incandescent light bulbs.[15] It was later announced that all member states of the EU agreed to a progressive phase-out of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[16]
[edit]Switzerland
Switzerland banned the sale of all light bulbs of the Energy Efficiency Class F and G, which affects a few types of incandescent light bulbs. Most normal light bulbs are of Energy Efficiency Class E, and the Swiss regulation has exceptions for various kinds of special-purpose and decorative bulbs.[17][18]
[edit]United Kingdom
The UK government announced in 2007 that incandescent bulbs would be phased out by 2011.[19]
[edit]North America
[edit]Canada
The provincial government of Nova Scotia stated in February 2007 that it would like to move towards preventing the sale of incandescent light bulbs in the province.[20]
In April 2007, Ontario's Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan announced the provincial government's intention to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[21]
Later in April, the federal government announced that it would ban the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs nation-wide by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases. The plan is expected to save the average homeowner $50 a year on the electricity bill. [22]
In January 2011, the province of British Columbia banned retailers from ordering 75- or 100-watt incandescent bulbs.[23]
The nation's Energy Efficiency Regulations are published on the Natural Resources Canada website.[24]
[edit]Cuba
Cuba exchanged all incandescent light bulbs for CFLs, and banned the sale and import of them in 2005.[1]
[edit]United States
[edit]Individual state efforts
California will phase out the use of incandescent bulbs by 2018 as part of bill by California State Assembly member Jared Huffman (D-Santa Rosa) that was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 12, 2007. The bill aims to establish a minimum standard of twenty-five lumens per watt by 2013 and sixty lumens per watt by 2018.[25][26]
Connecticut legislation was proposed by state Representative Mary M. Mushinsky (D-Wallingford).[27][28]
New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill on February 8, 2007 that calls for the state to eliminate incandescent bulbs in government buildings over the next three years. Chatzidakis said, "The light bulb was invented a long time ago and a lot of things have changed since then. I obviously respect the memory of Thomas Edison, but what we're looking at here is using less energy."[29]
[edit]Federal legislation
In December 2007, many of these state efforts became moot when the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light[30] be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.
Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions. Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights.
By 2020, a second tier of restrictions would become effective, which requires all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt (similar to current CFLs). Exemptions from the Act include reflector flood, 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs.[31]
[edit]Oceania
[edit]Australia
In February 2007, Australia enacted a law that will, in effect, by legislating efficiency standards, disallow most sales of incandescent light bulbs by 2010.[32] The Australian Federal Government announced minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for lighting products. The new minimum standard efficiency level is 15 lumens per watt (lm/W). From November 2008, no non-compliant lighting (including some incandescent globes) were imported into Australia, and from November 2009, the retail sale of non-compliant lighting was banned.[33] According to the current proposal,[34] all regular light bulbs and some other kinds of light bulbs sold from October 2009 have to meet the new minimum energy performance standards. Incandescent light bulbs that meet the new standards, for example high-efficiency halogen bulbs, continue to be available.[35]
It is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by 800,000 tonnes (Australia's current emission total is 564.7 million tonnes), a saving of approximately 0.14%.[36]
There have been some initiatives to encourage people to switch to compact fluorescent lamps ahead of the phase out.[37]
[edit]New Zealand
In February 2007, then Climate Change Minister David Parker announced a similar proposal to the one in Australia,[38] except that importation for personal use would have been allowed.[39] However, this proposal was scrapped by the new government in December 2008.[40]
[edit]South America
[edit]Argentina
In Argentina, selling and importing incandescent light bulbs has been forbidden since 31 December 2010.[41]
[edit]Venezuela
As part of its electricity conservation program, Venezuela has a light bulb exchange program, which aims to replace millions of incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.[42]
[edit]
Phase-out of incandescent light bulbs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
