Thursday 12 August 2010

Market Solutions Win Again

Fewer Australians believe that humans are responsible for climate change, but despite this, the market for environmentally friendly products such as LED bulbs is growing and manufacturers are releasing increasingly innovative and eco-friendly products.
Could that be because there’s a recession on, and these things also make energy bills cheaper, perhaps?
This shift in attitude is surprising as Australia is considered one of the most knowledgeable countries in the world on climate change; 97 percent say that they know at least ‘something' about the issue.
It’s only ‘surprising’ to those who assume AGW to be the True Word Of Our Lord Gore. Usually, the more you know about a subject, the harder you are to fool…

So, why is the takeup of these devices not showing in Europe too?
On August 4 Australian manufacturer Hot Beam released the innovative series of Streamline LED strip lamps (prices based on individual quotes): the 500 mm lamps, not bulbs, can be positioned on desks or hung from the ceilings and contain individual, changeable LED modules, making the lighting source more versatile than LED bulbs.
Aha! The market has listened to the consumer, and devised things the consumer wishes to buy.

Whereas in the EU, the opposite has been tried – force. Regardless of the use or practicability of the replacements.

Hence the growing demand for the old incandescent bulbs here…

6 comments:

Uncle Marvo said...

If anyone needs some big old-fashioned 100 watts screw fit bulbs, suitable for outside lights on a PIR sensor, I have many. I stockpile them, because they are supposed to be replaced by high-efficiency ones which take 5 minutes to turn on, and don't work in PIR circuits. Soon one won't be able to buy them at all.

Bloody EU.

Chuckles said...

There is , of course the alternative inverse hypothesis, which is that in Oz they are thick and gullible.

http://www.led-tape.com/

Mike said...

carrots I tell you, if we don't eat enough then they will take over the whole world. also I am reliably informaed that eating plenty of carrots reduces the requirement for light fittings of any sort.

Unknown said...

"Whereas in the EU, the opposite has been tried – force. Regardless of the use or practicability of the replacements."

They've done that in Australia as well, in the form of a phased out ban.

Despite the many problems with it, and the public opposition they have at least chosen to define the ban in terms of luminous efficiency (15 lm/W) as opposed to completely banning incandescent bulbs.

Given the temperatures in Australia, luminous efficiency makes some sense, and it's wonderful to see manufacturers taking advantage of their governments piety.

I still prefer to use incandescent bulbs here in the UK because of the low luminous efficiency. Keeps the house warm.

Oldrightie said...

Those yet to visit this place, do so. A pleasant surprise awaits.

http://www.icecap.us/

JuliaM said...

"Soon one won't be able to buy them at all."

They are still quite readily available at boot sales. Not for much longer, I suspect...

"I still prefer to use incandescent bulbs here in the UK because of the low luminous efficiency. Keeps the house warm."

You must freeze. For Gaia.

"Those yet to visit this place, do so. A pleasant surprise awaits."

Interesting site!