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CFL faux pas from an ecological intelligence expert
I just enjoyed the first 45 minutes of a Minnesota Public Radio call-in show. Daniel Goleman is touting his book, "Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything," and I was fantastically excited that he was talking about transparent, holistic ecological labeling for products. (In essence, he was touting the single-sustainability-label concept I suggested here.) He recommended a great-sounding tool, Good Guide. (I'm testing it now.)
About eight minutes before the end of the hour, it fell apart. A caller commented on all the mercury and transportation miles he was generating disposing of CFL bulbs -- and Mr. Goleman congratulated him on his systems thinking, going on to note that we all need to think like that, and that the creators and promoters of CFLs neglected to do so.
I was flabbergasted. He's promoting one of the most-debunked urban legends of anti-environmentalists -- on "my" reliable radio station. Huff.
A quick web search on "mercury cfl" turns up a load of corrections - mostly about two years old. The Energy Star fact sheet (PDF) is clear, the EPA fact sheet (PDF) talks about other mercury sources in homes, too, The NPR story is the most nuanced. Then, there are a number of smart blog posts. Plus, there are new, lower-mercury bulbs now available.
Mr. Goleman, after the clear and nuanced understanding you presented during the show, I'm astounded that you didn't immediately connect mercury from electricity production to total mercury emissions and correct the misinformation.
Good job. I introduced cfl spots in my 140-light showroom and was met with jeers from the old-school crowd. Then, I showed them the mercury in their T-12's, etc, and all was quiet. We now save over 40 million watts/year over the incandescent spots we used to have.
In Mr. Goleman's defense, he is not an expert on environmental products, chemistry, etc. He is a psychologist and his book is about transparency on the part of businesses and third parties like The Good Guide to help consumers make informed decisions. He has a nuanced understanding of how difficult it is going to be to get the majority of Americans to care about these issues, and how complicated the various issues themselves can be.
Most people calling into the show wanted specifics about things like light bulbs, but Mr. Goleman was there to talk about the education and motivation end of consumerism, not about specific products.
LED bulbs(Light Emitting Diode) made to RoHS standards (Reduction of Hazardous Substances)are the best of both worlds. LED bulbs use less power than CFL's when on, can be turned on-off unlimited times (every time you leave the room) without burning them out, where CFL's must be left on (until you go to bed) to avoid burning them out. And the advertised life is 60,000 hours for LED, 6000 hours for CFL. LED = less power in use, less hazardous substances, less need for replacements.
LED bulbs are so far only sold on the internet, are initially more expensive, (CFL's were more expensive when they first came out)and are larger than CFL's but as they come more to market that will change as it did for CFL's.
One unfortunate note: There are several manufacturers that produced LED bulbs using the lowest quality parts and practices available and the fault is the manufacturers, not the technology. Those poor grade manufacturers are giving LED's a bad reputation. When made by competent manufacturers LED's deliver everything that the technology promises. I have 1 of 4 brands of LED bulb which are working great. Before I tried them I tried CFL's and 5 of 9 CFL's burned out too, so CFL's are no angel of reliability either.
I looked at the Energy Star Fact Sheet regarding coal power being the largest home contributor of mercury, and my rural electric coop now offers a wind power option which I immediately signed up for.
