It was good news for the environment this week as the member nations of the European Union (EU) agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent before 2020.

It was good news for the environment this week as the member nations of

the European Union (EU) agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per
cent before 2020.

Leaders offered to go to 30 per cent if major polluters such as the
United States, Russia, China and India do the same.

Included in the agreement was a legally binding target for the
development of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

Perhaps the most impressive and down-to-earth decision made during the
conference was a commitment to phase out the sale of traditional light
bulbs by 2009, replacing them with energy-saving bulbs.

Though more expensive, low-energy fluorescent bulbs produce five times
more light than their incandescent cousins and use a third of the
energy. The ban will affect over 400 million homes.

Australia has already announced it will ban incandescent light bulbs.
They are to be phased out by 2010, reducing carbon emissions by an
estimated 800,000 tonnes a year by 2012.

Here at Energy Matters we applaud the EU's actions. Climate change is a
real and serious threat to our way of life. Australia needs to follow
suit and introduce measures to ensure we are not left behind as the
world embraces clean energy technology. We remain committed to helping
Australians to making a difference in their own lives by providing the
best renewable energy products at the lowest prices, combined with
expert advice and installation experience.

Article written by: Angus Buchanan (Energy Matters)