Incandescent Exposure: Why to Avoid Incandescent Bulbs

“The Green Ninja,” a character created by a climate scientist and his team, provides an entertaining and educational way to help children – and everyone else – grasp the intricacies of climate change and learn what they can personally do to become involved in fighting it. See additional details about the series or head straight to this week’s episode, “Incandescent Exposure: Why to Avoid Incandescent Bulbs.”

This week, a girl walks down the sidewalk when a strange, bearded, clandestine character appears from an alleyway and confronts her. After capturing her attention, he opens his coat to show off a myriad of household incandescent light bulbs. Why is selling light bulbs a shady business? In 2007, the sale of household incandescent bulbs became illegal, and it was for a good reason, too. Incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy and are much less efficient than any of the modern alternatives.

The initial low costs of incandescent bulbs may seem appealing, but as it turns out, their cost increases over time as they waste electricity and raise your power bill. Modern LED bulbs last far longer without needing replacement; they use less electricity, give off less heat and are often much brighter. Although CFLs use less energy – thereby reducing carbon emissions – they contain mercury, which can be dangerous and needs to be disposed of appropriately.

After realizing that selling incandescent bulbs is not so bright, the slippery con man decides to change tactics and he offers a chunk of coal for sale. Why would anybody want coal? Although most modern households do not directly use coal for heat or light, the US still uses coal-burning plants to generate electricity, releasing chemicals into the air that can be harmful to the environment and humans alike.

Lots of info here about good energy choices!