How many light bulbs does it take to save eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions?
A project to hand out 30 million energy-saving light bulbs to the Mexican poor is expected to save eight million tones of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s equivalent to closing down Mexico City streets to traffic for a year, and it will cut electricity bills for low-income earners.
The pro-environment, anti-poverty initiative is the brain child of a start-up company with the hip name Cool nrg. In return for Cool’s generosity the company will earn up to eight million carbon credits to be sold on the European carbon market. Its backers hope the project will provide a new model for socially responsible carbon offset programs. They’re also hoping the United Nations will accept it into a scheme set up under the Kyoto Protocol.
The really great thing from a consumer’s viewpoint is that it cuts emissions for the householder, rather than big business, because it can be used to improve domestic energy efficiency and keep more money in the everyday person’s pocket.
Cool nrg executive chairman Nic Frances says the initiative, “..will save Mexican families a couple of weeks’ wages every year.” And he estimates it will save the Mexican government $US200 million a year in electricity subsidies.
Source:
Cool nrg http://www.coolnrg.com/index.html
Adam Morton,The Age, 20.6.09
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