The energy saving bulb
It's is incredible to see that in 2007 politicians finally see the potential new technology can bring for the environment. However what's new?
It's is incredible to see that in 2007 politicians finally see the potential new technology can bring for the environment. However what's new? To be honest the energy saving bulb was invented in the 1960s introduced in the 1980s and now the Dutch prime minister finally, as a feature of a Greenpeace campaign, understands the full potential of this technology and acts accordingly by changing the bulbs in his office. Maybe you can call me a cynic but what is the problem with us people? Always telling everyone we should do better and get our act together but when it comes to changing our own habits we never seem to be able to work it out.
Just about a year ago all my friends went to watch a PowerPoint presentation that finally had some impact. People started telling me I should change my bulbs and I should start to minimize my energy consumption. We even e-mailed our stats on how much energy, gas and water we used in the previous year. Incredible benchmarking is finally taking place. However instead of changing our own habits first it always seems easier to give some advice to others.
Let's stop that nonsense. We all know that if we want to achieve something it will take some effort. Why not do the obvious and change our own habits first instead off telling others what to do. Although I understand the motives of the Australian prime minister to try to ban the light bulb it still feels kind of weird that we need yet another rule just to do the right thing. What is wrong with our attitude? Instead of making the obvious choice(s) we always seem to need some legislation or yet another financial incentive. And everybody knows that this will only help people in creating excuses not to change simply because we are already paying the premium. Instead of creating a culture of excuses we should try and create a culture that thrives on doing thing better than before; using new technology should be rewarded.
This will need a small revolution in attitude and especially from our politicians. Let's face it the governments income will come to a standstill if we all stop consuming however every time they ask us to consume less. So instead off trying to change our habits by creating yet more legislation or financial hurdles start focussing on making the consumables more environmentally friendly in the first place. Tackle the real problem by sorting out the cause instead of trying to control the (side)effects. Let's face it; this world wont stop consuming simply because this is the key to our standard of living.