APRIL 17, 2006
One
of my favorite baseball movies is the Natural. The classic home run by hero Robert Redford, swinging his favorite bat, smashes the light fixtures and bulbs in right field with a dramatic display of fireworks. The slow motion camera work heightens the drama, as he trots around the bases to the cheering of the crowd.
I am not suggesting that we take either ball or bat to our incandescent light bulbs, and yes, I do have a few remaining in our house though in drawers not sockets, but there are alternatives that work well and with a little effort we can make a difference in energy use. If we use more efficient light bulbs we will ultimately lower our energy bill. Next time you buy a bulb as for one's that are long lasting energy efficient.
In some cities, the Department of Water and Power will offer bulbs at a discount if you switch to buy electricity from "Green Power' sources. The goal is to shift more sources of electricity generation from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. Solar, wind, biomass, or geothermal are all becomes more and more cost effective. This is what people mean when they refer to the term clean energy; as opposed to dirty energy which is goal, gas, and oil.
I like light, especially at night in place like Dodger Stadium. The grass looks really green and the atmosphere of a night game is quite special. However, I am wondering if someone is hard at work trying to figure out alternatives for those huge bulbs that light the field. Actually maybe they are really energy efficient, and I am just ignorant. Maybe I can learn about this the next time I go to a Dodger game.
In the meantime, change a few at home and you will be participating in a simple solution to make a difference. A bulb changed today is no brown outs tomorrow.
--Peter