Incandescent Rage at an End?
I re-watch Al Gore’s acceptance speech again and again – and I always choke back tears. I suppose I choke them back because I’m an Englishman – with that supposed stiff upper lip.
Massive change is his message. Though of course individual action is beneficial, action on a larger scale is what’s needed.
Political will.
Praise then goes to the Irish government who have decided on a complete ban of incandescent light bulbs as of 2009.
This ties in so strongly with Mr Gore’s speech where he demanded – and eloquently too – that change needs to happen.
Now.
Not beleagueredly in a few years.
But now.
So is my government concurrent with regards to light bulbs?
No.
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What Gordon Brown’s government have decided upon is apathetic in contrast. They have promised a voluntary phase-out by the end of 2011 but incandescent bulbs will still be available after that date. If these bulbs were unavailable in the UK, enough electricity would be saved to close down a power station.
UK retailers fully support a mandatory ban of incandescent light bulbs – so evidence suggests that – yet again – my government’s political will is lacking. Not the public’s. The government’s.
Greenpeace are fighting for immediate results. You can take action and sway the British government by clicking here.
And ask yourself: is your government doing enough to stem climate chaos or is apathy and loss of profit their only excuse?
If your carbon footprint is as light as Tinkerbell’s - good. But if your government’s footprint weighs down like a monster, tell them you’re not happy.
I’m certainly not happy with mine.
But if the public is willing, why is a ban necessary? If retailers support a ban, couldn’t they just stop selling incandescent bulbs voluntarily? Why wait for the government to catch up with reality when people can take the power into their own hands? Governments will get the message soon enough if people lead by example.
On the other hand, maybe the public isn’t as willing as you think, if incandescent bulbs are still being bought and sold. There’s still room for outreach to the public as well.
How many people amongst the public ARE willing, Tim? (Many thanks for your comment, by the way.)
Grass roots activism is healthy - but does it alter the climate’s trajectory? I want MY government, if indeed they have been democratically elected, to listen to the roots. Rarely do they. I want them to.
Only the obtuse amongst the public deny man-made climate chaos, but need the willpower of those in power before behavioural change takes place.
I agree and think it would rock if governments would ban incandescent bulbs. Thanks for informing me about this, I hadn’t thought about it before!
In a nutshell? We have to look beyond individual behaviour and seriously question - and more importantly within democracies - DEMAND that our votes mean something.
Thanks Whitney,
Pem