Philippines make switch to low energy bulbs

The President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagel Arroyo, has announced that her country will be the first in Asia to phase out traditional, environmentally-unfriendly light bulbs in favour of energy efficient fluorescent lamps.

The Philippines are following in the footsteps of a number of other countries, including Ireland, set to ban traditional bulbs from next year, and Australia, who have already passed legislation that will make the bulbs illegal from 2010. The Philippines ban will also come into effect from 2010.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use around 20% less energy than traditional bulbs, and last between six and ten times longer. It is estimated that by switching to CFLs, households in the Philippines will save as much as 80% on their lighting costs, and that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions could fall by up to 2 million metric tonnes per year.

The energy no longer be required will total 2,000 megawatts, enough to put 6 power stations out of business.

The health impacts of low-energy lightbulbs have yet to be researched in depth. Concerned researchers in the UK last month reported that the lightbulbs could exacerbate skin conditions and cause migraines.