Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED lights emit very little heat. While 90 percent of an incandescent bulb’s energy is released as heat, LEDs do not create a lot of heat. In addition, LEDs shine their light in a specific direction. This means that LEDs do not need diffusers and reflectors to trap light. With other lighting styles, half of the light may be wasted because it never actually leaves the fixture.
A good example of LED updates is taking place in Port Jefferson. The New York Power Authority is working with Port Jefferson to put LED streetlights into the town.
Each year, the new lights are expected to eliminate 500 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. A statewide program known as Smart Street Lighting NY plans on replacing 500,000 streetlights in New York with LED technology.
In just 2007, the world consumed 600 EJ of energy. By 2060, the world is expected to use triple that amount. About 30 percent of this energy production was used to generate electricity.
More efficient street lights help local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide. Unlike some environmental programs, street lights provide a quick return on the initial investment. In addition, the overall cost is quite low. Researchers have found that street lights currently use 20 percent of all the electricity the world produces.
In a typical city, outdoor lighting can make up anywhere between 20 to 40 percent of the city’s overall budget. Switching to LEDs would reduce the amount of global electricity lighting consumption by 52 percent. It would also stop 735 million tons of carbon dioxide from getting released into the environment each year.
This is roughly the combined level of emissions that Texas and Iowa produce.
The Impact of Lighting Upgrades on the Climate
LED lights are known for reducing the effects of climate change, but they can help in other ways as well. Cities can enjoy lower energy bills because LEDs use less electricity.
Because LEDs provide a better quality of light, residents also enjoy better visibility. Brighter streets can deter crimes and reduce the frequency of car accidents. Plus, investing in LEDs improves the city’s infrastructure, which can encourage commercial investments.
In an extensive study by the United States Energy Department, LED lights impacted the following environmental factors significantly less than other lighting types.
Stratospheric ozone depletion.
Freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity.
Eutrophication.
Ecosystem damage.
Abiotic resource depletion.
Radioactive waste landfills.
Global warming.
Photochemical oxidation.
Human toxicity.
Marine aquatic ecotoxicity.
Land use.
Terrestrial ecotoxicity.
Non-hazardous waste landfills.
Hazardous waste landfills.
Acidification.
LEDs can do more than just save energy. Because they last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs, they cause less waste. These lights also lead to less hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Plus, LEDs can deter crime by providing more visibility in urban areas.
