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  • From: "Lynda" <lurine AT com-pair.net>
  • To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] So what do we do?
  • Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:46:58 -0800

The amount of mercury in a CFL is minimal at best. The amount of mercury coming from the coal fired electric generating plant accounts for over 40% of the mercury that gets into the air worldwide. And the U.S. alone produces 104 metric tons of mercury emissions each year with the vast majority of that coming from coal-fired electric plants.

That coal fired plant produces 13.6 milligrams of mercury to make the incadescent bulb light up over 8,000 hours of use. (well, if you can get one to last that long but we'll go with that so we can compare it to totals for the CRLs which routinely last 8,000 hours <g>)

Now the "old" CFLs had about 3 milligrams of mercury in them. The new generation have, on average, less than 2 milligrams with some having as little as 1.4 milligrams.

The CFL's mercury that "might" end up in landfill (if you are one of the folks who doesn't have a recycling place for your's), will be approx. .6 mg. Add to that the 1.2 mg that it will take to light the CRL for those 8,000 hours, and you have a net savings of 11.6 mg of mercury.

Lynda

----- Original Message ----- From: <rayzentz AT aim.com>

Hi, Gene,

Just curious. What do we do with all of the mercury toxins in all of these flourescent light bulbs people are getting. And mind you, I have replaced almost all of the incandescent bulbs in my house with these, because they last longer, and are cheaper to run. I bought my first one when I was living in Colorado (which is when I first joined this list, by the way).? It's been 8 years now. This year, I finally had to replace one (actually, a few). I have been lugging them around with me for many years now, as we have moved from place to place. I figure I am ahead money wise.

However, aside from power use, the incandescent bulbs are less harmful to the environment. How do Greens reconcile this, without using sophistry. Or do we just acknowledge the inherent hypocrisy.

Ray


-----Original Message-----
From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:06 am
Subject: Re: [Homestead] So what do we do?




On Feb 12, 2009, at 3:07 PM, Marie McHarry wrote:

Mother Jones had this article on the coming changes in weather:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2008/11/diet-warm-planet
. . . . I think we can probably quit worrying about terrorism, etc.
When the
ecosystem shafts us, we're in deep doodoo. Have any of you given this
consideration? In practical terms, I mean.

Want to rate worries? Seems to me the bigger issue is falling oxygen
levels. Do you like to breathe?

I've looked for maps to instruct readers on projected climate change.
Not much found that is very useful except in general terms: in drought
areas there will be more droughts; in rainy areas there will be more
rain; in violent wind areas, more of that. As for rising temperatures
I am all for it; I would love to grow citrus at Heartwood.

Reduced individual energy usage will come due to the pain of rising
prices but increasing population may negate that gain. As with many
issues, there are viable community responses. My electric co-op has
the right idea. We get our electricity through a consortium of
utilities that own coal-fired generating facilities. Last year we had
a light bulb swap: for every incandescent bulb turned in, members
received a new CFL unit. The board found that reduced load means lower
overhead today and less cost in the future by eliminating the need for
new generator capacity. It's a win-win plan that means less coal will
be burned. The calculations to sell members on the plan may be found at:
http://www.serviceconcepts.coop/coopcustom/cflpaybackhowell-oregon.htm

Besides the present economic focus, most Americans are too conditioned
by consumptive lifestyles and day-to-day issues to take global warming
seriously. Most of us do what makes us feel good, as with recycling
and reusing and wearing stuff out. Lifestyle change will be resisted.
We homesteaders live sensibly but will always be a tiny minority.

Expect change. Be prepared. Become ever more independent.

Gene GeRue
www.RUR
ALIZE.com




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