Can one person switching out one incandescent light bulb or fixture with an energy-efficient option change the world? October 4th, 2007 marked ENERGY STAR’s second annual “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign, and this year, we want to drive home the important message that the efforts of one person can help curb the negative effects of global warming.

According to the Energy Information Administration, lighting accounts for 20 percent of a home’s electricity bill and 9 percent of electricity usage in the average American home. Switching out one inefficient incandescent bulb for a single compact fluorescent bulb would save over $35 in energy costs and prevent over 500 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions over the course of the bulb’s life.* Switching out one incandescent fixture, such as a dining room chandelier for an energy-efficient alternative, would result in $44 dollars in energy savings and the prevention of 670 lbs of CO2 in just one year! If every household in America participated, the results would be phenomenal- equivalent to taking one million cars off the road!

Each one of us can play an integral role in curbing global warming. This year, do your part and pledge to switch out one light bulb or fixture for a compact fluorescent alternative. You’ll see the difference in your electricity bill and in the air around you.

*Formula based on operating the light for 3 hours a day, 365 days a year at $0.10 kWh for 7 years – the average life of a compact fluorescent bulb.