an a single low-energy light bulb reduce the CO2-emissions of our industrial society? Energy-saving lamps are an excellent example when it comes to illustrating that many small steps add up to incredible energy-saving effects, a relief for the climate and for our purse. The environmental protection office of the city of Langenhagen has launched several activities in the field of climatic protection. A first campaign focused on the "initial lighting"of the energy-saving lamp. As an incentive to foster ecological activities among the public, everyone who bought an energy-saving bulb got a second one free of charge. The next event was a competition rewarding the best personal activity for the protection of the climate. An energy fair offered topic-related entertainment, information, and many amazing exhibits in the energy waxworks. A successful mix according to the best of fair traditions. One highlight of this programme was the scientific evaluation. The 8,500 energy-saving lamps sold replaced 95% of the traditional light bulbs. This step alone saves the enormous sum of 3,200,000 kilowatt hours. This figure corresponds to a reduction of the CO2-emissions of 2,416 tons. The calculation refers to the total life of the lamps. If you add the total cost of about 2,000,- DM to the savings of electricity, you end up with a relative expense of 6.25 pfennigs per saved kilowatt hours or 83,- DM per saved ton of CO2. The campaign met with great satisfaction of the general public as well as retailers. Intensive communication coupled with competent counselling was a major past of the activity for the protection of our climate in Langenhagen.

Topics: energy, CO2 reduction Target group: public Methods: information, fair, financial incentives Duration: approx. 2 months Contact: Heike Weidner, Umweltschutzstelle Langenhagen, Marktplatz 1, D-30853 Langenhagen Phone: ++49 511 7307-103 - Fax: ++49 511 7307-130