Picture: Greenpeace Argentina.
In the midst of the end-of-year-holiday-rush the Argentine Senate approved a law to ban incandescent light bulbs. The rule establishes that from December 31, 2010, the importing and commercialization of incandescent light bulbs for residential use will be forbidden in the country.
With this measure, Argentina joins the list of regions and countries that have already said goodbye to regular light bulbs, which includes the European Union, Australia, and Canada.
- The first establishes the ban of importing and commercialization of incandescent light bulbs for residential use in all the Argentine territory.
- The second gives the Executive Power the ability to establish exceptions to the rule for, “technical, functional and operative reasons.”
- The third says that the Executive will be able to announce measures to encourage the imports of finished efficient bulbs or their parts for production.
- Finally, the fourth article says the law will enter force when published at the governmental Official Bulletin (the fifth is only operational).
Greenpeace’s local office had pushed this project all 2008 and celebrated the approval of the law. The idea is indeed a great step for Argentina in the face of the country’s deepening energy crisis. However, much remains to be seen about the efficacy of this law; political steadfastness and proper enforcement are just as important factors to success. A negative example would be the woods protection law, which was sanctioned in November 2007 and steady for a year without entering force (heavy interests from the agriculture sectors at stance there).
Changing incandescent light bulbs for CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs) is one of the simplest ways to reduce the amount of energy you spend at home and pay your contribution to the planet.
Original text from the Law Against Incandescents in Argentina (in Spanish)
Greenpeace Announcement of the Measure (in Spanish)
Via ERenovable
More on Incandescent Bulbs and CFLs:
Change a Light Bulb: It Really Can Make a Difference
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Save Water, Too
How to Go Green: Lighting
Thomas Edison
Invented the lightbulb. Without it he couldn’t see how to work his phonograph.
Incandescent
Mrs Edison was very, very cross at the amount of time her husband was spending in the outhouse.
Filament
What Mr Edison’s marriage hung by.
Electric current
Early attempts to fit dried fruit with a plug failed to produce much illumination.
Voltage
You have to be over 18 to buy a bulb.
more at http://www.thebeginners.net