ScuttleButt - USS Southern Cross

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A Bright Idea to Save the Earth Photo: PiccoloNamek by Lt Jg Erik Stubblefield Chief Science Officer It has been documented that a major contributor to global warming is the production of greenhouse gases, and pollution from out automobiles and coalfueled power plants. Sure, we are all concerned, but we don’t control what power plants are built. And, face it we all need to get to work somehow when public transportation isn’t offered in our area. What are we to do as consumers Are we powerless The answer is no, we are not powerless, there are many small actions that can add up to making a big difference in the fight to save and protect our world from a downward spiraling environmental disaster. One way to save power that is very simple, environmentally sound, and will save you money is to change your light bulbs! FACT: The energy used in the average home can be responsible for more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the average car. When you use less energy at home, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change. Many companies produce fluorescent light bulbs as an alternative to the traditional incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs create light by running electricity through a wire made of tungsten, which glows. Fluorescent bulbs contain gases that give off light when electricity passes through. They give off less heat than incandescent bulbs, so less energy is wasted. They fit into existing sockets, so no changes are necessary around your home. Fluorescent bulbs use less than one third of the energy to provide the same amount A new study suggests that the so-called Goldilocks planet is too hot to be like Earth, but astronomers have uncovered another, cooler option. Too Hot Too Cold Or Just Right by Dennis Overbye http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/science/space/12plan.htmlref=science Physicists are constructing materials that bend light the "wrong" way, an optical trick that could lead to sharperthan-ever lenses or even make objects disappear. Light Fantastic: Flirting With Invisibility by Kenneth Chang http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/science/12invis.htmlref=science of light. That translates into fewer gases being released from power plants that can contribute to global warming. What about costs Will they save money Yes and no. The fluorescent bulbs may be as much as ten times the cost of the incandescent bulb. However, since the fluorescents last up to ten times as long, the energy savings, and thus cost savings can be great. Older fluorescent bulbs come in small spirals that some are not accustomed to. The newer fluorescent bulbs come in a variety of styles or colors and many look just like the incandescent. Two things worth noting: 1-The bulbs contain mercury, so they should be disposed of at a local household hazardous waste collection center, just like batteries. Mercury can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. 2-The bulbs don’t come in the standard wattage options, since they take much less watts to produce the same amount of light. Usually a comparison scale is on the package for consumers. Personally, I changed my home’s bulbs when I moved in to my home three years ago. I immediately saw a $20 reduction in power costs monthly and recouped my costs in less than a year. I have replaced only one of these bulbs during these three years. To summarize: overall less cost, less power consumption, less greenhouse gases in the air, and longer lasting bulbs. What’s the problem Go get some fluorescent bulbs and help lead the Earth to a brighter future! Ref: http://www.energystar.gov 22 Vol.1 Issue 6 <strong>ScuttleButt</strong>
But What About LEDs Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are even better in the energy savings department when it comes to lighting options. They are even more energy efficient than fluorescent and do not have the short delay when activated, like the fluorescent bulbs. There are even claims that they last an average of 100,000 hours (about ten years). LEDs withstand shocks and vibrations that the incandescent bulbs can’t handle, as well as temperature extremes. They even come in a variety of colors! Most LEDs out on the market right now are in control panels, advertising displays, small indicator lights, vehicle initial cost. This does turn into savings in the long run when one considers not only the energy used to power a light source, but the man-hours needed to replace burned out bulbs. This is an even greater saving when the LEDs are placed into fixtures, such as traffic lights, or hard to access places such as a traffic light. In short, LEDs are the future of our energy efficient lighting. Scientists and technicians are working feverishly to produce LED products than can be used in the home without danger of fire or damage to the braking and turn signals, traffic lights, and small, portable lights, such as flashlights or keychains. Why don’t we see them in our homes The major negative at this time is that LEDs are not as efficient as fluorescent lighting. Sure, they use less power, but they also produce more heat. Granted, the heat produced is much less than that of incandescent filament bulbs, and a lot less than halogens, but when it comes to home use, heat dissipation is a problem. Another drawback is the cost. An LED, while lasting longer, also carries a greater fixture. In addition, they are striving to make the LED even more energy efficient, so that it produces less heat. The more LEDs that are produced, the cost should come down substantially as well. Want to know more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Electrical- Electronics/white-LED-lighting http://www.lumileds.com/ http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/7aa8/ http://www.ledtronics.com/ by Lt Jg Erik Stubblefield Chief Science Officer A Sci-fi author knew all about the World Wide Web, global warming - and more – years ago! David Brin Predicts the Future by David Kushner http://discovermagazine.com/2007/jun/the-discover-interview-david-brin LED front and rear lights for a bike <strong>ScuttleButt</strong> July, 2007 23
Page 1 and 2: July/August 2007 Volume 1, Issue 6
Page 3 and 4: Nailed To The Masthead From The Rav
Page 5 and 6: Ship’s Muster The following are c
Page 7 and 8: ST:DS9 - Episodes ST:DS9 - Main Cha
Page 9 and 10: College of Law D1 D2 D3 College of
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