Still got any old-style lightbulbs around the house? If so, they'll soon be switching off for the last time, as shops have already begun to phase them out, re-stocking only with low-energy CFLs.
I don't need to spell out the good reasons for making the switch to low-energy bulbs here, but I have had an awful lot of fun watching the various different reactions to the news, which seems to stir up strong feelings on both sides of the fence. The Daily Mail has been predictably 'incandescent' with rage at the demise of 'old fashioned' lightbulbs, while several crafty sites have got to work concocting inventive uses for the defunct objects.
My favourite of all time has got to be these 'light bulb salt and pepper shakers', but Craft Magazine also featured an idea for turning them into flower vases. Reports elsewhere suggest that shoppers are 'panic buying' bulbs as supermarket stocks deplete.
Why is it that lightbulbs arouse such strong feelings in us? I have to admit to liking the simplicity of the older-style shape, but that is now being mimicked by many newer, low-energy bulbs which are available in many forms. It's also easy to buy CFLs that work with dimmer switches than ever before, and don't forget they last many months longer than the older sort did!
So let's hear it for CFL bulbs and the emissions they'll be preventing in years to come.
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