Ireland Shines With New Light Bulb Rules

I have a little soft spot for Ireland in general so the news that the Emerald Isle is getting a little greener just gives me the warm fuzzies. Starting in 2009, Ireland will ban traditional light bulbs in effort to promote energy-saving alternatives. The move is part of the country’s first overall “carbon budget”.

The big push is to get rid of incandescent bulbs which the Irish Green Party leader called a “technology invented during the age of the steam engine.”

In the “just one thing” category, Ireland’s light bulb ban is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 700,000 tons per year and save residents some $185 million euros ($269.3 million) annually.

Greenpeace, who have been campaigning the Irish Government to ban conventional energy-wasting incandescent lightbulbs by 2010, noted that Ireland is the first country in the EU to make a move to energy-efficient lighting as the standard.

My aunts and I were recently talking about the “Celtic Tiger” – the roaring economy that started to rear in the 1990s. This rapid growth has brought many benefits but it’s also brought more consumption, emissions and waste. The recent green moves acknowledge that Ireland has not been at the top of the EU class on environment, in no small part due to the economic growth.

But, speaking as a foreign born Gael, I think Ireland will put the work down to meet the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol – a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 70 million tonnes to 63 million tonnes by 2012.

More illumination:

• Bulb ban could make Ireland Guiding Light in EU at Greenpeace
• Ireland goes green with light bulb rules and car tax at Reuters