China, which manufactures 70 percent of the world’s light bulbs, has made a commitment to phase out incandescent light bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs—a move that could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 500 million tons annually—according to a report by Reuters.

Monique Barbut, CEO of the Global Environment Facility, a leading environmental funding agency, made the announcement yesterday at the Reuters Environmental Summit in Washington, D.C.

"We are starting a world campaign to ban all inefficient light bulbs," Barbut said at the summit. "And China has just agreed."

News of China's decision to switch to energy-efficient lighting came just days after the United Kingdom announced a voluntary program to phase out incandescent bulbs by 2011, and as the U.S. Congress considers legislation to make a similar transition by 2014.
_{Photo by Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images}

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The effort to replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), light emitting diodes (LED) and other low-energy lighting is quickly becoming a global movement--with countries from Australia to Britain to the United States either implementing or contemplating plans to change their light bulbs for the better.

The reason is simple: compact fluorescent lamps use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, which typically convert into light only about 5 percent of the energy they consume. Although CFLs cost about four times as much as incandescent bulbs, they last 10 times longer, saving most consumers about $30 over the life of each bulb.

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As many as 24,000 Americans could lose their lives every year because of the EPA’s refusal to follow the advice of medical professionals to tighten U.S. air quality standards that control soot, dust and other particulate matter, by allowing one less microgram per cubic meter of air annually, according to a cost-benefit analysis released Friday.

The analysis also shows that the estimated $1.9 billion auto manufacturers, power plants, refineries and other companies would have paid each year to implement tighter standards would have been eclipsed by up to $51 billion in annual savings on health care costs, work and school attendance, and other benefits.

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Halloween is spooky by nature, but it doesn't have to be a scary time for the environment. You can have a jack-o-lantern full of Halloween fun while helping to protect and preserve the environment. Following these green Halloween tips can help you and your family have an eco-friendly Halloween celebration.

_{Photo courtesy of Ronnie Bergeron}

The historic Gilman Mill—a model of sustainable manufacturing and one of the world’s few paper mills with a negative-carbon footprint—is looking for a little help from the Vermont state legislature and environmentally conscious people like you. [Sign the online petition to save the Gilman Mill.]

Closed in June, due to the falling dollar and the rising cost of imported high-quality pulp, the Gilman Mill was forced to lay off more than 100 skilled workers who produced 100-percent recycled products—from recycled book paper used by socially responsible publishers and printers to biodegradable packaging products.
_{Photo by Dirigo Paper Company, used with permission.}

Founded in 1898 in Gilman, Vermont, on the banks of the Connecticut River, the Gilman Mill has been a cornerstone of the local economy for more than a century. In more recent years, since it started specializing in high-quality recycled paper and packaging products, the Gilman Mill has brought more than $500 million in trade to an economically depressed area.

The Case for Reopening the Gilman Mill
Customers want the products Gilman produces, and the rising cost of quality paper promises a strong market position for the Dirigo Paper Company, which operates the mill. According to Dirigo president Peter Hanson, all that is needed is enough money to restart operations and rehire employees.

The government of Vermont has a block grant program it uses to assist businesses that help to sustain local economies, but state officials say Dirigo and the Gilman Mill don’t qualify because the grants are for job creation only. The Vermont state legislature has declared battling climate change a priority, and a group called Friends of the Gilman Mill believes that reopening a green business like the mill would help to establish the state’s leadership on the issue.

What Can You Do?
Friends of the Gilman Mill has started a petition drive to help persuade the Vermont state government to revise its policy and provide a block grant to reopen the Gilman Mill. A printed petition is posted at the senior center in Gilman, and a local letter writing campaign has been organized to lobby state legislators and government officials. Another petition has been posted online, and you are invited to add your name to the growing list of people who would like to see the Gilman Mill back in business.

More Information about the Gilman Mill:

• History of the Gilman Mill
• Environmental Commitment of the Dirigo Paper Company
• Friends of the Gilman Mill Petition

A demonstration flight to show the viability of using biofuel to power jet airplane engines is in the planning stages and is expected to take place during the second half of 2008, according to Boeing, Air New Zealand and Rolls-Royce, which have joined forces for the demonstration.

The demonstration flight—which will use a Boeing 747-400 jet airplane owned by Air New Zealand and equipped with Rolls-Royce engines—is designed to help accelerate development of sustainable alternative fuels for commercial aviation, according to the three companies.
_{Photo by Air New Zealand/Getty Images}

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U.S. Rep. John Dingell, who chairs the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce and has represented the automakers and people of Michigan in Congress for 52 years, wants to know what you think about his proposal to fight global warming by taxing gasoline and carbon emissions and eliminating the mortgage interest tax deduction for big suburban homes.
_{Photo by Chris Somodevilla/Getty Images}

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Sometimes the simple things can make a big difference. Did you know that replacing a few standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs could cut your use of energy, lower your electric bill, and significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that enter the atmosphere each year and contribute to global warming? Learn how switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs in just a few of the lamps and light fixtures in your home or office can make the world a little brighter.

As world leaders gathered on Monday for the start of the first United Nations summit on climate change, the theme of the day was the urgent need for action and collaboration on a global scale.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon kicked off the meeting of more than 80 presidents, premiers and other leaders with a call to action on global warming.

“Together we must ensure that our grandchildren will not have to ask why we have failed to do the right things and left them to suffer the consequences. So let us send a clear and collective signal to people everywhere,” he said. “Today, let the world know that you are ready to shoulder this responsibility and that you will address this challenge head on.”

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Carbonated soft drinks (aka soda pop) have become a dietary staple for millions of people, but what are the dangers and drawbacks of consuming so much "liquid candy" and where can consumers find healthful alternatives?
_{Photo courtesy of Getty Images}