The Hindu Business Line : `Bulb manufacturers polluting environment'

Mumbai May 1 Greenpeace India, which has been raising the issue of climate change at various forums, has accused Indian bulb manufacturers of polluting the environment.

The global environmental action group said that these companies continue to manufacture incandescent bulbs which are responsible for increased carbon emission and global warming.

"Flooding the market with wasteful and hazardous products, they are responsible for an unnecessary wastage of energy of 3,600 MW in the country, equivalent to harmful carbondioxide emissions of 16.5 million tonnes. This is as high as the emissions of a small country like the Maldives," the Greenpeace guide said. Mr K. Srinivas, Team Leader (Climate and Energy Campaign) of Greenpeace India, told presspersons that an average 60-watts incandescent bulb gives 12 lumens/watt while an average 15-watts compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) gives 42-60 lumens/watt.

For over 1,000 hours life of bulb the consumer spends Rs 300 while for CFL it is Rs 75.

Therefore, banning the bulb would lead to reduction in power consumption significantly, he pointed out.

Mr Srinivas said if all regular bulbs in India were to change to CFL, 55 mt of (equal to 30 per cent of the emissions of all vehicles in India) carbon emissions could be avoided.

The resulting energy savings during peak hours could also reduce the chronic power shortage in the country, leaving states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi with significant reduction in power cuts.

"Greenpeace wants by 2008 a law to be introduced in Parliament banning the use of incandescent bulb and by 2010, the law needs to be in force. By January 1, 2010, all bulbs with efficacy below 25 lumens/watt should be banned.

In 2012, all bulbs with efficacy below 35 lumens/watt and by 2015 bulbs below 55 lumens/watt efficacy should be banned," Mr Srinivas said.

Greenpeace is aware that banning the bulb would incur huge capital expenditure.

In the initial phase, the financial cost must be borne by the utility companies and State Government, he added.

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