Banning the Bulb?

Did you ever think Thomas Edison's most famous invention would be banned by a government? It's true! Although California is proposing similar legislation, the Australian government is claiming they are the first in the world to ban the use of incandescent light bulbs.

As quoted in the article I read:

The [Australian] minister reckons it should save 800,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions during the three year phase-out period, with an annual emission reduction of 4 million tonnes by 2015. Incandescents will be banned by legislation in about 2009-10, though some special needs, such as medical use, may receive dispensation.

The recommended replacement lighting technology is compact fluorescent lamps. However, as high-output LEDs become more cost effective, they will offer even more efficient alternatives to the ubiquitous light bulb as we know it.

~SP