Austrailia to Ban Incandescent Bulbs

[W1RKW]

The other problem with that is Mars' gravitational field isn't strong enough to influence the escape velocity of some of the light life supporting gaseous elements like nitrogen and oxygen. 

I once read about a serious proposal to terraform Mars by using the planet to dispose of earth's CFC's, by loading them on a space craft that would crash on the surface.  This was supposed to increase the greenhouse effect to hold more heat, melt the ice, and generate a denser atmosphere.  Then certain genetically-engineered microbes would be released that would begin to break down the soil chemicals and generate a bio-mass.  After a period of 1,000 to 2,000 years, the planet might become habitable for humans and other earth creatures.

The only problem is that those who initiate the experiment will not live long enough to see if is a success.  Kind of like suicide bombers - they don't get to see the results of their mission.

[k4kyv]

Brandy Bridges was installing some of the two dozen CFL bulbs she had purchased in an attempt to save money on her energy bill.  While installing one of the spiral-shaped bulbs in her 7-year-old daughter’s bedroom, the bulb plummeted to the floor, breaking on the shag carpet.  She called the Home Depot where she purchased them. She was told that the bulbs had mercury in them and that she should not vacuum the area where the bulb had broken, and was directed to call the Poison Control hotline.

The Department of Environmental Protection offered to send a specialist out to Bridges’ house to test the air levels.  In the daughter’s bedroom, the levels remained well below the 300 mark, except for near the carpet where the bulb broke. There the mercury levels spiked to 1,939 ng/m3.   He recommended the Clean Harbors Environmental Services branch in Hampden.  Clean Harbors gave Bridges a low-ball estimate of $2,000, based on what she described, to clean up the room properly.

http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7446&Itemid=31

[Tom WA3KLR]

And now, Canada.

From Reuters:
"Canada to ban incandescent light bulbs by 2012"
Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:03PM EDT

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will ban the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said on Wednesday.

Canada is the second country in the world to announce such a ban. Australia said in February it would get rid of all incandescent bulbs by 2009.

"Making the switch to more efficient lighting is one of the easiest and most effective things we can do to reduce energy use and harmful emissions," Lunn told a news conference.

If households installed compact fluorescent bulbs -- which use about 75 percent less electricity than old-style bulbs -- they could save C$50 ($44) a year, he said.
"By banning inefficient lighting, we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million tonnes per year," Lunn said.

The ban will not apply to uses where incandescent bulbs are still the only practical alternative.

The Canadian province of Ontario last week announced it would ban inefficient incandescent bulbs by 2012.
($1=$1.12 Canadian)"
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It's just a matter of time until Congress passes the same deal here.  Gotta skim power to run the new giant screen HDTV's.

[W3SLK]

You know, I seem to remember quite a number of years ago, that different lighting has different effects on how we as a species act. This was a study compiled using different lighting wavelengths, ie. sodium, flourescent, monochromatic. The study noted how people reacted and interacted based on the lighting scheme used.  Fluorescent bulb had a somewhat negative effect. Let me scan the net to see if I can dig it up.

[WA1GFZ]

Mike,
I also saw that thing on different types of light. I have found lower wattage bulbs are the way to go rather than glow tubes.  4- 25 watt bulbs light up a room better than 1 100 watter.  I have 6 over head lights in the shack and most are 40 watters. The bigger bulbs produce a lot of glare.  I put a night night light in the bathroom in new QTH.  15 watts gives just enough light to get a bead on the target and not enough to blast you awake.
Now how many cases do I need to buy to last me. Heck I'll put them next ot the R12 stash.

[N0WVA]

An even better way to cut emissions would be to concentrate on cooling/heating. Like maybe requiring better insulation on refridgerators and hot water heaters.

No, wait a minute. There is no jackpot to be struck with that venture...Forget it.

[k4kyv]

It's just a matter of time until Congress passes the same deal here.  Gotta skim power to run the new giant screen HDTV's.

And to keep on being able to start up and run our gas guzzlers so we can avoid walking a quarter mile to the store.  Also to allow floodlights in the business district to run all night even after everything is closed.  Don't forget too we have to keep all those power supplies running 24/7 in our consumer electronics junk even when it is turned off.  And we must keep our houses heated to 85° in winter, and cooled to 59° in summer.  Plus we need to have the fuel available to ship that tasteless produce all the way across the continent so we don't have to be bothered haggling with local farmers who would sell us their locally grown stuff that tastes delicious but has blemishes.

Wonder how long before some genius petitions to get AM banned to save electricity?

[Bill, KD0HG]

Don, around here, they sell vine-ripened FRESH tomatoes year round that are excellent. They're grown in greenhouses that are co-located with some of our area power plants. They use the waste steam leftover from electricity generation to heat the greenhouses in the winter so the energy is something that would have just gone to waste. Fresh local produce year-round and a use for hot water that would have otherwise been vented. What's not to like?
These are the sort of energy-conservation ideas that really make sense.

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

Why?

[N0WVA]

It's just a matter of time until Congress passes the same deal here.  Gotta skim power to run the new giant screen HDTV's.

And to keep on being able to start up and run our gas guzzlers so we can avoid walking a quarter mile to the store.  Also to allow floodlights in the business district to run all night even after everything is closed.  Don't forget too we have to keep all those power supplies running 24/7 in our consumer electronics junk even when it is turned off.  And we must keep our houses heated to 85° in winter, and cooled to 59° in summer.  Plus we need to have the fuel available to ship that tasteless produce all the way across the continent so we don't have to be bothered haggling with local farmers who would sell us their locally grown stuff that tastes delicious but has blemishes.

Wonder how long before some genius petitions to get AM banned to save electricity?

And have you ever stopped to think how much fuel these newer cars are burning by running the headlights on all the time?

NO, we need to replace those damned incandescents with retarded flourescents that dont work in the cold sand take forever to put out full brightness.

You know, Ive just about had my fill with with this crap. Stupid laws which have no real purpose but to line someone elses pockets. 

[KB2WIG]

Think of the energy we can save by taking out that light bulb in the refrigerator. We have millions of refrigerators  burning lights that we dont need.... ..               klc

[Bill, KD0HG]

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

Why?

The greenhouse tomatoes are now available at all of the supermarket chains, but the local restaurants get their produce delivered from the Denver restaurant supply places. I don't think they're carrying the fresh local produce. Same goes for fresh veggies as Don was mentioning, chain restaurants aren't buying from local farmers either.

[k4kyv]

Think of the energy we can save by taking out that light bulb in the refrigerator. We have millions of refrigerators  burning lights that we dont need.... ..               klc

Ah, yes that old question.  Does the light bulb burn while the fridge door is closed?

How can we be certain that the switch didn't short out just at the moment we  last closed the door?

And have you ever stopped to think how much fuel these newer cars are burning by running the headlights on all the time?

NO, we need to replace those damned incandescents with retarded flourescents that dont work in the cold sand take forever to put out full brightness.

Our two cars have 100,000 miles and 140,000 miles respectively, and both have a separate headlight on/off switch.  Have they taken that switch off new cars?  What if you want to turn on the headlights without starting up the engine, or what if the engine won't start and you need some light?  I think the old fashioned "lights-on" warning alarm in conjunction with a manual switch is a better idea.

I have noticed in Canada that probably 60% of the drivers keep their headlights on during the daytime.  Never could figure out any reason to do this when it isn't foggy or raining or snowing heavily.

But I can honestly say I never tried putting a fluorescent light in cold sand to see if it would still work.

[W1RKW]

My wifes 05 VW Jetta has daytime running lights which I think are stupid. I don't know how many bulbs I've replaced since she bought this thing.  They go on when you put the car in Drive.  If you're driving and the sun goes down you got headlights but the dashlights and tailights aren't on unless you remember to switch the headlight switch to ON.  Then everything comes on as most normal cars go.  Everytime I'm driving her car and end up in that situation when the sun goes down she's sharply reminds me to flip the switch.  I see other late model cars and wonder why I see dark tailights at these hours.  That explains it.  I like the old fashioned way, when it gets dark you flip the switch and everything comes on. No hit or miss. I wonder if there are more accidents because of this goofy setup.

[N0WVA]

Think of the energy we can save by taking out that light bulb in the refrigerator. We have millions of refrigerators  burning lights that we dont need.... ..               klc

Ah, yes that old question.  Does the light bulb burn while the fridge door is closed?

How can we be certain that the switch didn't short out just at the moment we  last closed the door?

And have you ever stopped to think how much fuel these newer cars are burning by running the headlights on all the time?

NO, we need to replace those damned incandescents with retarded flourescents that dont work in the cold sand take forever to put out full brightness.

Our two cars have 100,000 miles and 140,000 miles respectively, and both have a separate headlight on/off switch.  Have they taken that switch off new cars?  What if you want to turn on the headlights without starting up the engine, or what if the engine won't start and you need some light?  I think the old fashioned "lights-on" warning alarm in conjunction with a manual switch is a better idea.

I have noticed in Canada that probably 60% of the drivers keep their headlights on during the daytime.  Never could figure out any reason to do this when it isn't foggy or raining or snowing heavily.

But I can honestly say I never tried putting a fluorescent light in cold sand to see if it would still work.

Our 96 Cutlass headlights come on anytime a large cloud passes over head. There is a switch, but this automatic thing over rides the manual controls. Ive seen some cars that have the lights on automatically even in bright sunlight.

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Looks like a business opportunity!

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

Why?

The greenhouse tomatoes are now available at all of the supermarket chains, but the local restaurants get their produce delivered from the Denver restaurant supply places. I don't think they're carrying the fresh local produce. Same goes for fresh veggies as Don was mentioning, chain restaurants aren't buying from local farmers either.

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

Why?

The greenhouse tomatoes are now available at all of the supermarket chains, but the local restaurants get their produce delivered from the Denver restaurant supply places. I don't think they're carrying the fresh local produce. Same goes for fresh veggies as Don was mentioning, chain restaurants aren't buying from local farmers either.

[Bill, KD0HG]

Looks like a business opportunity!

STEVE!

That's what my great-grandpa and grandpa did in the early 20th century. They were immigrants and they settled into the wholesale produce business in Chicago. In those days, the big chain stores were non-existent, the corner grocery is where you shopped. And they all bought from the local produce retailers by the rail yards. Area farmers from WI, MI and downstate IL brought semis full of produce into Chicago every morning. My grandpa left for work at 3:30 every morning and worked until 5 PM.

Because the corporate buyers buy by the truckloads in FL, CA and Mexico today, they could care less about buying locally. Franchises like Quisnos require their independently-owned stores to buy all their stuff from the corporate guys.
Wholesale produce was a business niche whose time passed 50 years ago, except, perhaps for the current organic interest; there might be something in that today.

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

There are more and more eateries using locally grown or caught foods on their menus and in their marketing. How far this trend will go remains to be seen.

[WD8BIL]

How can we be certain that the switch didn't short out just at the moment we  last closed the door?

Open it and see Don !

[WA1GFZ]

Real Grand children of wops have gardens.

No DDT on my crop

[k4kyv]

The incredible thing is that restaurants around here still serve the tasteless picked-green imported plastic tomatoes.

Strangely enough, when we grow tomatoes here in the vegetable garden every summer, we usually pick them green, or at least just barely turning.  If they are allowed to fully ripen on the vine, they inevitably split open right after a significant rainfall, and rot before they can ripen.  If they escape damage from splitting open, bugs and other creatures feast on them, and the same thing happens - the damaged spot begins to rot, which quickly spreads to the rest of the fruit.

So we just pick them at the first sign of turning, and allow them to ripen indoors.  We just put them on a table and wait 2-3 days until they fully ripen, and I find they taste just as good as the rare ones that manage to fully ripen on the vine before they rot.

I suspect the problem with the supermarket variety is that it is a special breed, selected to travel well during shipping, with absolutely no regard whatever for taste.

Another produce item that is about as tasteless and worthless as supermarket tomatoes is red delicious apples.  I have never encountered one that was fit to eat.  Yet in the supermarket here, red delicious outsell all the other, more palatable varieties by at least 3 to 1, apparently because they are slightly cheaper.

Considering that people actually buy Supermarket Tasteless tomatoes and Red (not-so-delicious) Delicious apples, it is not surprising that a majority of HF amateurs are perfectly content to run slopbucket.

[W1RKW]

Frank, I'm half Italian myself.  My family like yours would either go locally grown or grow their own produce. I do the same. It's the only way.

Don, I don't eat red Delicious apples. I don't find them delicious, never have.  In fact, for some reason they bother my teeth and I can't stand the skin on them.  I find the other varieties far more tasteful and when I make an apple pie, lookout.  I also get them locally grown also.  Supermarket apples and other produce can be hit or miss.

[WA1GFZ]

and I have a bottle of BBs and pellets sitting on the bedroom window sill for Mr and Mrs. Wood Chuck if they show up again this year.
Can't discharge in my neighborhood or it will be something louder.
Lot bigger clearing for them to walk through this year.

[KB2WIG]

Whenever you need to do some cleaning, do what I usda do in the cemetary.....  Pull off the top of your gas mover and unleash the sh*t*un ....  "Yeah, this thing is backfirin' awful bad"  .....    BTW, my fathers best day was 5 pigeons in  one shot...   klc

[Jeff OGM]

A couple of weeks ago, I spotted this little news item...

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55213

...describing the plight of an Ellsworth, Maine woman who purchased a dozen CF bulbs, and accidentally broke one in her daughter's bedroom.  She called around and ended up having the Maine DEP advise her to hire a local environmental cleanup company to take care of it.  The cost is $2000...  no kidding!

Lesson learned: when you break a CF bulb, use the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy when you dispose of it!

Heh.

Jeff OGM