Provocations

Compact fluorescents vs incandescent light bulbs - an update

This is an update on a post from 2007. I think most of what I wrote and reproduced on the blog still stands. But apparently the Canadian Government doesn't think so. It has removed all the information I copied from their web site (available below). Pretty much all you find now is information extolling the virtues of compact fluorescents. Yet, still no comprehensive plan to dispose of damaged and expired CFLs (they contain toxic amounts of mercury).

A few updates and additions, courtesy of Wikipedia:

1. CFLs produce less light later in their lives than when they are new.
2. The current price of CFLs reflects the manufacturing of nearly all CFLs in China, where labour costs less.
3. Because of delays when used outside in cold weather, CFLs are not suitable for motion-activated lighting.
4. If individuals are exposed to the light produced by some single-envelope compact fluorescent lamps for long periods of time at distances of less than 20 cm, it could lead to ultraviolet exposures approaching the current workplace limit set to protect workers from skin and retinal damage.
5. In the past decade, hundreds of Chinese factory workers who manufacture CFLs for export to first world countries were being poisoned and hospitalized because of mercury exposure.
6. In some places, such as Quebec and British Columbia, central heating for homes is provided by the burning of natural gas, whereas electricity is primarily provided by hydroelectric or nuclear power. In such areas, heat generated by conventional electric light bulbs significantly reduces the release of greenhouse gases from the natural gas. Ivanco, Karney, and Waher estimate that "If all homes in Quebec were required to switch from (incandescent) bulbs to CFLs, there would be an increase of almost 220,000 tonnes in CO₂ emissions in the province, equivalent to the annual emissions from more than 40,000 automobiles."

Buy incandescents while you still can. The price is already going up as demand is exceeding supply.  Despite resolutions and requests from many representative bodies, many governments seem determined to go ahead with a ban on incandescent bulbs.

A Canadian government that claims to believe in minimal interference in our lives is telling us how we can light our homes.

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HERE'S WHAT I POSTED IN 2007:

I'm up there when it comes to minimizing energy use but remain leery about the much-touted compact fluorescent. Interestingly, it took a fair bit of online research to find out the difference in colour spectra of the two. In the end, it was a Government of Canada web page that told me that the old incandescents continue to provide more accurate colour rendition.

The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of a lamp reflects how accurately the colour of an object can be determined under a given light source. Compact fluorescent lamps have a CRI of 82 (out of 100), which is considered excellent for fluorescent sources and good for artificial light in general. Incandescent lamps have a CRI of 97. Incandescent lamps provide excellent colour rendering because of the full spectrum of colour wavelengths present in the light they produce.

and that compact fluorescents, are affected by temperature, getting less efficient as the temperature moves above or below 25°C

Low temperatures pose the greatest problems for CF lamps. Not all compact fluorescent systems are equally susceptible to low-temperature problems, but in general, as temperature drops, so does light output and efficacy. At very low temperatures (below 32°F or 0°C), lamp output can decline to one-third the rated value or less. It is important to note that some CF lamps will have to warm up a while before producing sufficient light under cold conditions, some may take several minutes to ignite, and some won't start at all.

High ambient temperatures can be produced around enclosed CF lamps in interior lighting applications. In addition, less-efficient ballasts will introduce more heat into fixture enclosures. The IES Lighting Handbook points out that a 1% loss in light output (for fluorescent lamps in general) can be expected for every 2°F (1.1°C) above the optimum ambient temperature of 76°F (25°C). Efficiency can also drop, to some degree, at these higher temperatures. Ventilated fixtures for CF lamps remove excess heat from the enclosure.

. . . and that compact fluorescents deteriorate quicker with increased frequency of on-off switching.

While incandescent lamps do not suffer any reduction in service life from switching, fluorescent lamps do to a small extent. Consequently, the costs of shortened lamp life should not be overlooked when considering CF lamps in applications requiring frequent switching.

Recycling of ballasts is another issue. Is this the old nuclear energy argument in a nutshell: great energy but serious pollution/disposal problems?

So, while I want them to succeed, I'm being very conservative in switching, presently having only two: one in our crawl-space and one providing supplementary lighting for some indoor plants.

UPDATES:

• UV light fear over 'green' bulbs
• Low-energy bulb disposal warning
• Low-energy bulbs 'worsen rashes'
• Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine'

The bottom of the oil barrel is covered in tarsand

Investments and vested interests can cloud vision. Maybe there's enough in this video to break through a few hardened hearts, hardened to the state of our planet and its people.

I think I'd have more respect for someone who said, I know it may be hurting our planet and its people but I still think it's the best thing to do. Instead most support for the tar-sands seems to rely on smoke and mirrors. Meanwhile, true to the pattern of addiction (money, oil . . . ), it is the addiction that drives. And, of course, the whole family suffers; in this case, the human family, starting with the most vulnerable:

Why Harper’s Conservatives need to be defeated

This post is by a guest author:
"John Sobol is a veteran journalist and author, a digital strategist and curator, and a skilled saxophonist and public speaker. He has developed a practical philosophy based on his experience and expertise in oral, literate and digital practices, milieus and technologies. It is called: Interactivism."  - JN

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Downloadable Anti-Harper Collateral

Posted on April 8, 2011 by lobosloboslobos

I noticed that we were missing a tool like this, a document that would summarize why Harper’s Conservatives need to be defeated. So I wrote one. I am planning to photocopy and distribute it (door to door and on the street) as widely as I can. I invite you to do the same, especially if you live anywhere near a riding where the outcome is in doubt. You can download it here:

www.johnsobol.com/Anyonebutharper.pdf

Good luck!

Here is the text in blog post format:

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO VOTE FOR HARPER’S CONSERVATIVES?

Harper’s Conservatives spent over $1 billion on security for the G8/G20 conferences, which resulted in the largest mass arrests in Canadian history (1,105 people, of whom only a handful have been convicted), even though the cost of security at the previous G20 Summit in London, England was only $30 million and only 63 people were arrested. Harper’s Conservatives are bullies.

Harper’s Conservatives are the only government in Canadian history to have been found in contempt of Parliament. This ruling was made by the Conservative-appointed Speaker of the House of Commons, Peter Milliken, based on clear evidence that the Conservatives had repeatedly lied to Parliament. No government (in Canada or Britain) has ever been found in contempt of Parliament before, in over 200 years of parliamentary procedure. Harper’s Conservatives are liars.

Harper’s Conservatives have twice shut down Parliament simply because they didn’t like what was happening there. No Canadian government has ever prorogued Parliament in this way before. Harper’s Conservatives do not respect democracy.

Harper’s Conservatives have made Canada one of the world’s most despised nations when it comes to environmental issues. According to StatsCan, The United Kingdom, France and Germany have per capita emissions that are about half of those produced by Canadians, and we are increasing our pollution faster than any other industrialized country, partly due to our exploiting of Alberta’s tar sand reserves, using a process that produces three times the emissions of conventional oil extraction. Harper’s Conservatives are destroying our children’s future.

Harper’s Conservatives are planning to purchase 65 stealth fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. This is the biggest military procurement in Canada’s history and it was sole sourced. Harper’s Conservatives claim that the jets will cost $75million each, but even the Ministry of Defense’s own estimates say that they will likely cost twice as much, or close to 30 billion dollars. Harper’s Conservatives are lying to us about the largest purchase in Canadian history. Can you think of anything better to spend 30 billion dollars of taxpayer’s money on than American fighter jets? Harper’s Conservatives can’t.

Harper’s Conservatives cut millions from laboratory testing programs, which ensure Canadians have access to clean food, air and water. They slashed funding for essential scientific research to help manage our fisheries, our forests, and our health. And Harper’s Conservatives also eliminated the mandatory Canadian census, which was an essential research tool for every government department. Harper’s Conservatives don’t like facts and don’t like critical thinking.

Harper’s Conservatives are planning to spend billions of dollars on a dozen huge new prisons, even though violent crime today is at its lowest level in Canada in a generation. Harper’s Conservatives have also introduced minimum mandatory jail sentences for non-violent crimes such as growing a single marijuana plant, even though over 45 percent of Canadians say they have smoked pot at some time in their lives. Harper’s Conservatives want Canada to be more like America, where 2.4 million citizens are currently in jail (25% of all the prisoners in the entire world), most for non-violent crimes such as marijuana possession.

Harper’s Conservatives were elected on a platform that celebrated accountability and transparency. And yet the high profile Integrity Commissioner they hired to oversee their much-ballyhooed Accountability Act received a $500,000 golden handshake after being fired for gross negligence. In 3 years, her office received over 200 complaints from whistleblowers, but only investigated 7 of them. Harper’s Conservatives actually hate transparency and hate being held accountable.

There is more. Much more. Harper’s Conservatives are poisoning our political culture, seeking to divide and conquer, to polarize and demonize, just like they do in the USA. But we don’t want that sort of destructive leadership here in Canada. We want leadership that is honest, transparent, and that seeks to build, not to destroy. Harper’s Conservatives will not provide that leadership. If Harper’s Conservatives win a majority in the next Parliament, anyone they don’t agree with will be silenced, cut off, and vulnerable.

So please, on May 2nd vote for anyone but Harper’s Conservatives.

It’s up to you to make your voice heard on election day.

VOTE!!!

Are Canadians suffering from battered electorate syndrome?

The evidence is clear. Even though you may dismiss some of it, the dictatorial and dismissive way in which Stephen Harper regards those he is supposedly serving is unprecedented in modern Canadian democracy. Along with this go many decisions and practices that treat people, the legal system and the parliamentary system with disdain and even contempt.

Kathleen Ohara in Rabble.ca gives us Ten reasons to oppose the Harper candidate in your riding

Here are a few of her examples:

• To raise funds, the Tories promoted the HST, which moves the tax burden from corporations to consumers, increasing the cost of essentials like food and heat. The Ontario government has admitted that this will cost citizens at least $500 a year per family.

• Harper and Company earned a reputation for heavy-handed stonewalling during the UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen. In Cancun, they lobbied against an extension of the Kyoto Accord - which they have continued to ignore in spite of the 2010 weather horrors, estimated to cost $220 billion globally.

• More stonewalling and what some saw as "contempt of Parliament" led to an extraordinary ruling by Speaker Peter Milliken, condemning the government for a breach of parliamentary privilege because it refused to release uncensored documents. Thanks to Harper's manoeuvres, however, the torture issue is now lost in the complexities of an ad hoc parliamentary committee.

• Crime rates are down and the population is ageing, but the Harper government claims it must introduce tougher laws, incarcerate more Canadians, and spend $9 billion for more prisons - some of them American-style super-prisons - because of an increase in "unreported" crime.

• A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank says that harsher prison conditions, longer sentences, and more crowded prisons will increase the chance that criminals will re-offend. Already, prisoners have to wait too long for rehabilitation programs and are being crowded into cells, contrary to United Nations standards.

• Harper has helped stop the UN from declaring asbestos a dangerous substance, and still promotes exports to poorer countries.

• Harper abandoned our internationally praised development partnership with eight of the poorest countries in Africa. Instead, he is focussing on Colombia - a militarized, right-wing country with government death squads.

• Prime Minister Harper campaigned on accountability and transparency. The Information Commissioner has found the Harper government the most secretive ever when it comes to Access to Information requests; one senior government aide was caught interfering with the process.

• There is an atmosphere of "trench warfare" and "disdain" as the government refuses to co-operate with parliamentary committees. Staff members, who should be accountable to the public, are no longer allowed to testify before them.

• Contrary to his position as an opponent of the unelected Senate, Harper used his new majority to recently stop a climate change bill passed by the elected majority in the House of Commons.

• Elections Canada is battling with a few former Tory candidates; police have raided their offices, over what are considered systematic attempts to hide national campaign expenses during the 2006 election.

How long will we voters take this "beating"? Will enough of us break the spell and leave this abusive leader? Or will we continue to rationalize his behaviour and put up with the abuse? 

Watch his behaviour through this perspective and you will see how much of his "leadership" is based on fear, including inciting fear of the alternatives to his rule.

The opportunity is getting closer: an election and the ballot box could be the opportunity to elect a party with social vision and respect for our democracy.

A graphic dose of fossil fuel reality

Bad news and good: the cavalry ain't coming but this is not a job for the cavalry.

Richard Heinberg's been putting this stuff out for a very long time. I know this in more detail than most because I ran his web site for a few years. Sad to say, while his message is updated, it's not that different from what he was saying ten years and more ago. Scientists have known for a lot longer that we are heading for a fuel crisis that is threatening the foundation of most developed economies and cultures as well as the viability of our planet as we know it. But, what do scientists know? Just find one doubter with a degree in something and we can dismiss the seriousness of the situation and continue heading in the same direction.

Solutions are around but, for now, here's a little tool that may help us face the facts. Gotta do that first. My names Jeffrey and I'm a fossil-fuel-aholic. A 12-step process for governments? Maybe. My country's Canada and it's a fossil-fuel-aholic.

The erosion of Canadian democracy continues

Whether you agree with the issues represented or not, this is the kind of interface where our Canadian democracy is eroding: unprecedented restrictions on freedom of expression.

G20: Toronto Police terms for a "public inquiry".

Citizens want justice and those accountable are taking small steps back as slowly as they can. It seems that the wronged demonstrators won't let them get away with it. The police reason for arrests was protection of the public yet they acknowledge there was not a single recorded incidence of violence against the public. Virtually all if it was police assault on civilians, most of whom were doing nothing illegal.

"On Tuesday, the civilian oversight board for the Toronto police force agreed to the parameters for the public inquiry. Victims of the police actions aren't enthused about any of the official paths ahead of them, and are finding their own forms of accountability."

 

More on the G20 at:

1. Inside a G20 cell: Video image shows conditions in detention centre
2. Evidence of police legal goofs and extreme behaviour continues to mount.
3. G20: British Columbia Library Association letter to Harper and McGuinty
4. VIDEO: Who gave the G20 Commander his Commands?
5. "THE POLICE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE"
6. "It was dehumanizing ... completely"
7. CBC News - British Columbia - G20 police actions prompt call for inquiry
8. Toronto police stand by and watch rampage
9. Real News journalist attacked at G20

Oh Canada!

photo: michael.talbot@citynews.rogers.com

Canadian miners treated with unprecedented disrespect by off-shore owners.

In my opinion, this issue could use more coverage. With all the talk of needing to be thankful for corporations that "provide" jobs, this situation reveals the nature of many of the new jobs being created.  The bailed-out car companies are already making good profits and beginning to pay back their bail-outs. Will they then restore the cuts the workers took to their pay and benefits? Watch this video and see what you think.

Who's actually controlling Haiti hasn't changed that much

A more informed and realistic look at Haiti's recent past, including the initial days after the earthquake. 

"The U.S. has assumed the post-earthquake leadership role, choosing priorities and setting the timetable. Canada plays a bit part in this American drama, ignoring what should have been learned from the example of hundreds of Mounties and soldiers. If that is indeed true, then what of the ultimate effectiveness of millions of dollars donated by Canadians who grieve with Haiti?"

Dismal forecasts on Haiti's future - thestar.com.

and, a little history:

New York Times, March8, 2010:

The international community has also had a major role in destroying Haitian agriculture. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have been threatening for years to cut off financing if the Haitian government pays for irrigation, fertilizers or equipment for its poor farmers. And in 1995, as a condition for restoring President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power after he was ousted by a military coup, the United States forced Haiti to adopt the lowest food import tariffs in the hemisphere, to provide U.S. farmers another market. A flood of cheap, heavily subsidized U.S. rice eventually pushed domestic varieties from the marketplace, and Haitian landowners fired thousands of workers.

Read the full article