Activists crush thousands of light bulbs

Greenpeace launches its campaign against energy-wasting products

Activists crush thousands of light bulbs at Brandenburg Gate

Berlin 20 April 2007 -- As G8 and EU ministers gathered in Berlin to
discuss energy efficiency measures, Greenpeace used a mechanised road
roller to crush ten thousand energy-wasting light bulbs at the
Brandenburg Gate today, demanding tough European efficiency standards
for energy using products, and an immediate ban on incandescent light bulbs.

Ministers are gathering at a 2-day meeting ‘Energy Efficiency: Shaping
Tomorrow’s World’ to discuss efficiency measures, as part of a German
Government initiative during its dual presidency of the EU and the G8.

The demonstration marks the start of Greenpeace International’s energy
efficiency campaign, which aims to stop the huge energy wastage caused
by a wide variety of inefficient electrical products, the first of these
being the iconic light bulb. Greenpeace’s global blueprint for avoiding
dangerous climate change - the Energy [R]evolution - identifies the
combination of energy efficiency with renewable sources of energy (such
as wind, solar and geothermal) as the ‘winning combination’ for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions to a level which will keep global warming under
2 degrees, whilst allowing for economic and population growth.

Light bulbs are an iconic example of the many energy-wasting products
that are sold to consumers. An incandescent light bulb wastes 95% of
it’s energy generating heat instead of light. Although cheaper to buy
than energy efficient bulbs, incandescent bulbs cost consumers almost
200 euros a year in wasted electricity (1), and on a pan-European level,
contribute millions of tons greenhouse gases in the generation of this
wasted power. Switching to CFLs (energy efficient bulbs) alone would
result in shutting down 25 polluting power stations in Europe.

“It’s urgent to close the European market to ‘energy-wasters’. We have
heard rumours and vague promises from various governments about banning
incandescent bulbs, so let’s do it now! We are calling on ministers to
instigate immediate national bans on light bulbs and push for
enforcement of a EU-wide mandatory efficiency standard on domestic
lighting by 2010. This would not be hard for the EU and would send a
strong political signal to the world: this 19th century climate-damaging
product has no place in the 21st century,” said Laetitia de Marez, head
of Greenpeace International’s Efficiency project.

The EU has started to consider efficiency standards for certain
energy-using product categories under the framework of the Ecodesign
directive, but this process is lengthy and any proposed legislation
could amount to nothing more than ‘voluntary measures’ if industry
lobbyists have their way. Greenpeace demands that all standards are to
be ambitious and mandatory, and that this EU process is speeded up.

“Energy efficiency is such an easy, logical and profitable way to solve
half the climate problem that we can’t afford to not grab this
opportunity. Smart energy use is something that benefits everybody: less
CO2 emissions, lower energy bills and lower power consumption. It’s
win-win-win, so why not use energy the smart way?” said Sharon Becker
from Greenpeace International.

REFERENCES
(1) Based on Dutch Ecofys research: 25 bulbs x 7,90 euros that are
wasted per bulb per year.

Ends

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