Ecumenical CFL Bulb Project Spares the Atmosphere
Episcopal News Service. May 7, 2002 [2002-113-3]
Question: How many people of faith does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but the bulb should be a CFL (compact fluorescent light).
That line gets a chuckle from people involved in an ecumenical project to promote the use of energy-efficient and long-lasting CFL bulbs as an effective way to protect God's creation from pollutants in the atmosphere. Called 'A Bright Idea,' the project encourages youth groups in congregations to sell CFLs as a way to accomplish two goals at once: to do something for the environment and to raise funds for youth group activities. 'A Bright Idea' is a project of the National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Working Group in cooperation with several participating denominations and with Brethren Press, the publishing house of the Church of the Brethren, which is handling marketing and distribution.
Since its debut last summer, the program has enlisted youth groups in 62 congregations in 20 states, according to Russ Matteson of Brethren Press. Participants come from a dozen denominations. The groups have sold 5,000 CFLs to date, Matteson reports.
Over the life of these bulbs, more than 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide will be kept from polluting the atmosphere, illustrating the impact that CFL use can make on slowing the pace of climate change. The 5,000 bulbs also represent a reduction of 656 pounds of soot, 15,750 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 8,550 pounds of nitrogen oxide.
Among the many CFL-related anecdotes that Anne D. Burt, coordinator for Maine's Interfaith Climate Change Initiative, has collected during this effort is the story of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Maine, whose social hall is lighted by wrought iron chandeliers. 'St Paul's installed the twister-type CFL to beautiful effect; it actually enhanced the look of the chandeliers,' she said. 'But the light was so much brighter that it revealed dingy walls and they decided that they need to paint!'
For more information about 'A Bright Idea,' contact Russ Matteson at Youth CFL Project, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120, or visit the project web site at http://www.brethren.org/genbd/BP/CFL/index.htm.