The Evolving Lightbulb

Light bulbs have been around since the days of Thomas Edison, but they're not the same old bulbs anymore. Technology is improving rapidly, and with that progress comes new levels of efficiency and sustainability. In his new book 'Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization,' author Lester Brown explains that one of the easiest and quickest ways that we can reduce electricity use......read more

IKEA to Phase out Incandescent Bulbs

Swedish mega-retailer announced last week that U.S. stores will stop selling incandescent light bulbs. The phase-out begins on August 1, 2010; by the end of the year, the energy-sucking home lighting alternative will no longer be available at North American IKEA stores. The move preempts federal energy-efficiency measures which will phase out incandescent lighting beginning in 2012. The bulbs are......read more

Lights Out at Bulb Plant

In a story that encapsulates all of the difficult issues involved in the global shift toward sustainability, the last remaining General Electric plant in the US that produces incandescent lights will be closed this month. A 2007 law essentially outlawed the old-fashioned bulbs that were made ubiquitous by Thomas Edison. In a perfect world, the 200 jobs lost at the Virginia factory would be......read more

Lights Out for Incandescent Bulbs

130 years after Thomas Edison brought incandescent lighting to the masses, the end is nigh for the old, energy-guzzling technology. On January 1, 2012, seven months from this week, federal efficiency regulations will effectively outlaw incandescent bulbs.  Writing in the New York Times Magazine, Andrew Rice traces the rise and demise of the traditional incandescent, and looks into......read more