From a 2007 (fall?) newsletter from the David Suzuki Foundation, www.davidsuzuki.org:
Bright Ideas
By Jenny Silver
With Ontario banning Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulbs by 2012 and the rest of the country following suit, it’s time to take a closer look at compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
CFLs have been around since the 1980s, but technology has vastly improved over the past few years. Today’s bulbs come in many light colours – including the soft glow of incandescents – turn-on time is near instant, and some bulbs work on dimmers or tri-lights and fit into almost any fixture.
As CFLs need a tiny bit of mercury to work, it is important to recycle them properly. Often stores where bulbs are purchased will taken them back. Your local hydro company will also know where to send them.
Should the mercury issue prevent you from using CFLs? Not at all. The amount of mercury emitted by a coal-fired power plant to light an incandescent bulb is considerably higher than that found in a CFL. Not getting your power from coal? Using a CFL reduces smog and prevents large amounts of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Still not convinced? CFL bulbs are 75 per cent more energy efficient and can last as much as 10 times longer – saving you money.
Nice post – keep it up!