In order to cut greenhouse emissions, fight climate change and save energy, 27 countries in the European Union (EU) are gradually phasing out traditional light bulbs.  As of September 1st, 2009, 100-watt and frosted incandescent light bulbs can no longer be manufactured or imported, although stores can sell their remaining stock.  

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Sony Pictures Studios believes in creating a culture on their Culver City campus. For CEO Michael Lynton and Co-Chairman Amy Pascal this includes a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainable stewardship, according to Jon Corcoran, VP, Corporate Safety and Environmental Affairs and John Rego, Director, Environmental Sustainability for the movie studio.

During a recent tour of the facilities, they each pointed out that education and employee awareness were key to behavior changes when it comes to environmental stewardship. This philosophy is in keeping with the Japanese tradition of creating an employee culture, a loyalty that reaches beyond the standard employee-employer structure, and one that gives and takes both ways. [Pictured: John Rego, Sony Studios; Paige Donner, Greening Hollywood; and Jon Corcoran, Sony Studios; photo by Ann Burkart]

Case in point: On June 29th, as part of Sony Studios “Links Green Series” they hosted a lunch time “Residential Solar and Hybrid Car Program,” presentation. This is an incentive program, offered through the studio, that gives employees a check for up to $5000 when they either buy a hybrid electric vehicle or install solar voltaic panels on their residence. This incentive “payback” is above and beyond the State and Federal tax incentives. Believe me, I asked. Don’t everyone blast your resume off to Sony Pictures Entertainment now!

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Part of the answer might be South Korea’s high usage of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

It took me almost two months of living in Korea before I saw my first incandescent (”old fashioned”) light bulb. All of the others were energy efficient CFLs, like the one pictured here at this outdoor market.

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Switching over to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is one of those solutions that is so simple and so effective, we all just need to do it. Says EnergyStar.gov, if we all change just one incandescent bulb to a CFL, "we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars."

Sometimes there is a solution so simple, that we've just got to do it. Yes, CFL bulbs cost a little more, but they also last much longer and use a quarter of the energy. This means that you will save money on your electricity bill - around $30/year per bulb.

If you haven't made the switch yet, use today as your opportunity to do so. Some hints:

• Since CFLs last so long, they are great for hard to reach places. Imagine not having to change the bulb for 5 years!
• CFLs don't generate heat like incandescents do, so they won't make you cool the room any more than is absolutely necessary.
• CFLs do take a minute to warm up, so they are not as useful in closets or areas that a light is usually on for just a few seconds.
• You'll receive the biggest impact on your energy bill by replacing the lights you use the most often and for the longest period of time.

Rebecca says: I never wanted to switch because I remembered the CFLs from years ago in my grandparent's house. It felt like a fluorescent bulb with a very cold tone to the color of the light. Now, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. Plus, when else can you have the light on and think, "I'm saving energy right now?"

CFL Resources:

EnergyStar.gov

Wikipedia: CFL