Saving Energy

Saving energy and reducing light pollution can both be achieved by turning off useless lightings. According to the statistic from International Dark-Sky Association, 30% of outdoor lightings in U.S. are pointing upward. It wasted more than 1.5 billions of energy and 6 millions of coals! Global warming due to the combustion of fossil fuel is hence enhanced and degraded our environment further more.

There are hundred thousand street lamps all over Hong Kong. Using suitable lampshades that focus light downward would improve the light pollution and save a huge sum on lighting costs by replacing light bulbs with lower power consumption. The increase of lighting efficiency means energy save.

Hong Kong environmental organizations conducted a "Turning Off lightings" campaign on 8 August 2007. This campaign invited people to turn off their lightings at night for several minutes. The campaign also awakened people on environmental protection and serious air pollution issues of Hong Kong. The government however was not support the campaign and worried that the campaign will affect the commercial activities and tourism.

Overseas "Turning Off lightings" campaigns had good responds on the contrary. The "Earth Hour" campaign, for example, in Sydney in March 2007 successfully invited 2 millions people turned off their lightings for an hour at night. The campaign resulted in 10.2% of reduction in energy consumption and promoted the messages of prevent global warming.

We know how to protect our natural environment by avoiding use of plastic bags, saving electricity and paper. We should follow the ways to reduce light pollution as well.