One New Orleans-based non-profit environmental group, Green Light New Orleans, is gaining support and momentum across the city, providing environmental service so economically sound that even the most stubborn deniers of global warming could support them.
Green Light New Orleans (GLNO) has installed over a quarter million CLFs in over 9,200 homes, completely free of charge. GLNO has installed more than 250,000 CFLs in over 9,200 homes. They will have saved city residents over $11 million and reduced carbon dioxide output by 107 million pounds over the life of the bulbs. CFL bulbs last, on average, 10,000 hours, which is much longer than incandescent light bulbs, which only last around 1,500 hours in the most ideal of settings. GLNO also recycles the incandescent bulbs they replace.
“I had no idea this was going to get so big,” said Andrea Hoffman, who founded GLNO back in 2006. He said the organization was response to “help New Orleans get back on its feet again,” after Hurricane Katrina. It was also because he wanted to offset the carbon dioxide used by his band while touring Europe, so he and his band members could be carbon neutral. According to Hoffman, GLNO has done way more than that.
GLNO relies on volunteers to install their light bulbs, as well as the generous contributions of corporations, their highest-paying donors being the Saints, Coca-Cola, and Entergy. They also accept donations from the homeowners they provide the free service to, though this is completely optional.
In addition to installing energy-efficient CFL lights, GLNO also goes into different neighborhoods to find out what communities actually need. GLNO has also created several sustainable community vegetable gardens, which allow local people to feed themselves without going to the store, and without buying vegetables transported in freight trucks.
Other similar CFL organizations have cropped up in response to GLNO, including one in Gramercy, Louisiana, as well as North Carolina, Georgia, and Oregon.
According to scientific consensus, global warming is a problem and we are causing it. On the bright side, we can do something to prevent it. That's what GLNO is trying to do, one light bulb at a time.
In conjunction with Energy Star and EnergySmart, GLNO gives out a $35 rebate on the purchase of small Energy Star air conditioner units and a $50 on larger air conditioner units. They also give out energy saving tips through volunteers who replace the bulbs.
Still, there are a few reasonable requirements though. First of all, you must sign a form waiving GLNO and its volunteers of any liability. That's pretty reasonable. Also, you must pledge to recycle your CFLs, which is easy because both your nearest Home Depot and Lowe's recycle these bulbs.
There are a few reasonable requirements though. First of all, you must sign a form waiving GLNO and its volunteers of any liability. That's pretty reasonable. Also, you must pledge to recycle your CFLs, which is easy because both your nearest Home Depot and Lowe's recycle these bulbs.
Also, GLNO cannot install in dimmable fixtures, motion or light sensored lights, fixtures exposed to rain, and bases that don't fit the bulbs. They also cannot replace existing or working CFL bulbs.
If you live in New Orleans and would like to apply for free CFL light bulbs in your home, click here. If you would be interested in volunteering, click here. For more information call 504-324-2429 or go to their website: greenlightneworleans.org
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