Every once in a while, a remedy to a problem creates a new problem in need of a remedy. Take for example, medication. A person has a medical problem and is prescribed medication. The medication solves the medical problem, but causes another problem with the side-effects. In order to counter the side-effects, the patient is prescribed another medication, which causes another side-effect that needs additional medication. Pretty soon, the patient who initially thought he or she needed just one pill is now on eight. (Of course, we shouldn't call this a drug company conspiracy or anything to sell more pills...should we?)
Well, another unintended consequence results from certain light bulbs and the environment. In an effort to curb global warming, some are pushing to ban incandescent light bulbs in favor of compact fluorescent light bulbs. These CFLs are supposedly better environmentally and will save money in the long run by lasting longer and using less energy. Sounds great. Even though they are more expensive than regular bulbs, overtime, the consumer would save money and the environment at the same time. But there's one problem: the unintended consequence. Apparently, these CFLs contain high levels of mercury, which is linked to brain damage and developmental delays in children and pre-born children. So, in order to save us all from global warming, we are exposing everyone to mercury poisoning. In the name of environmentalism, we are risking contamination of our environment with high levels of mercury, which would be bad environmentalism.
I was at Target the other day to buy light bulbs. I saw these CFLs and thought, hmm, maybe we should switch. But I didn't because I wanted the cheaper bulb now rather than the cheaper in the long run. Then I read about the side-effects to CFLs. I'm glad I didn't buy them. But this kind of stuff happens all the time. In a rush to solve one problem, we create more problems. In a society where we want immediate solutions, we need to learn to wait. There are problems that we need to solve - and the condition of our environment is a problem - but we shouldn't make the situation worse in the name of making it better.
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A single mother in New England bought one of the new bulbs but it somehow broke into pieces on the floor while she was installing it. Being a confirmed, tree hugging environmentalist, she called a local government environmental agency about the cleanup. She was informed, due to the mercury, that she could not simply throw the big pieces of the bulb in the trash and vaccum up the rest. The bulb and any mercury that fell into the carpet of her little girl's room needed to be cleaned up by a HASMAT crew. The cost $2,000.
She couldn't afford $2,000 so she was forced to close off and seal that room from the rest of the house. No one can go in or out until it has been cleaned by a certified crew.
That's quite a cost to pay for the dubious claim of gloabl warming due to man-made carbon emissions.
The earth could be getting warmer, as it has warmed and cooled throughout recorded history. But, to think that that humans can control global warming is the height of arrogance. Besides, who is to determine what the optimal temperture should be? Greenland, once a lush fertile farming land is now covered by ice and it's that melting about which Al Gore and his ilk are complaining.
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