Get rid of big TVs to make America green

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Get rid of big TVs to make America green
40
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 2:30pm

I guess it's time to get rid of big screen TV's, to save the world from global warming and what not.

I guess we really don't need televisions larger than 40". :)

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/03/23/state-considers-ban-on-big-screen-tvs/12993/

State considers ban on big screen TVs

In their continuing quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, state regulators have uncovered a new villain in the war on global warming : your big screen TV

Couch potatoes, beware.

The California Energy Commission is considering a proposal that would ban California retailers from selling all but the most energy-efficient televisions. Critics say the news standards could take 25 percent of televisions off the market — most of them 40 inches or larger.

“The larger the television, the more at risk it is of being banned unnecessarily in California,” said Douglas Johnson, senior director of technology police for the Consumer Electronics Association.

Association officials say the standards are not only unnecessary – because the federal government already regulates energy efficiency through the voluntary Energy Star program — but also ill-timed. The last thing our economy needs now is products taken off the market, they say.

Furthermore, they say that with a weak economy, consumers are going out less and watching TV more.

“This is really about regulating entertainment, not energy use,” Johnson said.

Poppycock, says the commission.

Affordable big screen TVs will still be available under the new standards, spokesman Adam Gottlieb said. In fact, he said the regulations will save you money.

The commission calculates that if you buy televisions meeting the proposed standards it’ll cut your annual energy use by — drum roll, please — $18 to $30 per television per year.

“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to save money,” Gottlieb said.

Gottlieb said the commission is exploring the regulations to reduce the strain on the energy grid and to avoid building new power plants.

Televisions are the fastest growing consumer appliance in California. Californians are buying bigger TVs, and more of them. If something doesn’t happen, televisions are going to devour a bigger and bigger piece of the state’s power grid, which means we’ll need more power plants. More power plants mean more greenhouse gas emissions.

“Consumers aren’t aware of the hidden cost of powering these things,” Gottlieb said.

Gottlieb insisted that the regulations wouldn’t eliminate big screens from California stores. But the commission’s own draft report says TV energy use is “proportional to the screen size.” And there’s no doubt the regulations will limit energy use.

So if you’re in the market for big screen TV, now might be the time to buy. The regulations are expected to be approved this summer.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 5:44pm

If it's good for the economy and planet, why wouldn't anyone want to do it?


There are too many signs that our planet is being polluted.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 5:50pm
Senior citizen buses usually take one person to the doctors, that is an awful waste of fuel and use of a vehicle.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 5:54pm

Sounds like a California idea.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 5:55pm

Our pollution problem has been largely reduced. Every year since Nixon enacted the EPA into law, our environment has been cleaner.

We are now trying to define a non-pollutant, as a pollutant (CO2).

Doing so will cause tremendous hardship and harm to billions of people. The human cost, suffering and misery which will be inflicted is incalculable.

Generally, I'm opposed to inflicting tremendous, severe and needless human suffering on billions of people. As a result, I'm opposed to CO2 limits.

Though my view is in the minority.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 5:58pm

If you followed the link in my earlier post, it is ALL diesel busses. In aggregation using a diesel bus for mass transportation is less energy efficient than having the same people take a car.

Same goes with most if not all light rail.

We can deceive ourselves, and tout the glory of public transportation, or we can really look at the energy use numbers.

Subways in highly congested cities make sense. The vast majority of the U.S. is not densely populated enough to support energy effective mass transit with our current technology.

Though that won't stop Congress from creating more energy wasting mass transit systems. It really isn't about science, it's about feeling good, and about politics.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 6:02pm

A lot of our recycled electronic stuff goes to China, and once there creates a significant health and pollution problem.

So many think recycling electronics is a good thing, and feel proud to recycle. Unfortunately those in China who suffer the effects of U.S. recycling efforts aren't visible to demonstrate the significant harm.

Many older appliances and electronic devices use significant quantities of energy compared to newer devices. Using the older devices will waste energy and pollute our world.

IMO dumping in a landfill is the best way to handle stuff we don't want anymore.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 6:23pm

As I noted, "properly disposed of".

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2009
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 6:30pm

But, but, but....WhatEVER will I watch my nature shows with?


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2009
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 6:32pm

I suspect the REALLY committed green people don't even

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2008
Thu, 04-09-2009 - 7:07pm
Try playing WII tennis on a tiny TV sometime.

 


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