If every second street light was turned off, wouldn't this make a significant change to global warming?

Question

Driving through the streets the other night, I couldn't help but notice the amount of street lights that were just not necessary. It's not rocket science and imagine the power that could be saved etc if this was done nationally.

Answer 1

Yeah. double the muggers!!

Answer 2

Putting reflecting covers over the streetlights would be a better idea. If you send the light that would have gone into space down to the road then you can get the same degree of illumination with a less powerful light (along with less glare). Streetlights are needed for safety reasons though the brightness could probably be turned down a bit (in fact probably should be).

As for whether it would have a significant effect on global warming; that would depend on where the electricity powering the lights comes from.

If it's mostly from coal, oil or gas then it would have an effect but if the electricity comes from nuclear fission, hydro or geothermal than it wouldn't be a good way to save the planet (though the glare and light pollution reduction would be worth it).

Answer 3

I agree with you 100%. What would be the cost of putting motion sensors on sections of streetlights? If there is no motion on the street then only one in three lights comes on ... instant saving of up to 66% of the power currently used. I'd go with every second streetlight, too; but I don't know if that would be enough to recover the costs of installing the motion sensors and new circuits ... wireless might work, pricewise.

Answer 4

A lot of power would be saved
so less would be needed to produce and this would make a difference if the whole world did it
but many poor countries do not have the same street lighting as you have
there are no lights in the street where i live.

but they wont.

Answer 5

No.

Streetlights have advantages such as reducing crime, and improving pedestrian and automobile safety. By decresing waste in society, they have an effect on reducing overall greenhouse emissions while they are on. A study would need to be done to find the optimal use of streetlights in different areas. Using more energy efficient lights would probably be a better option.

Answer 6

It's sounds like a good idea. However, if they replaced the bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs then they would save energy as well as help keep neighborhoods safe. Keep the ideas coming and contact your Mayor's office about replacing the bulbs with more efficient ones for the city street lights.

Answer 7

It might help, but the lights are also there for safety reasons. They have been changing the lights where I live. I think they take less energy than the lights they used to have.

Answer 8

Turning lights off would save some fuel and money and that's good. But it won't change the climate. The idea that human activity can affect the climate has been so thoroughly discredited that it's hardly worth talking about it.

Answer 9

We don't need to have dark streets to fight global warming. And it would make only a small difference.

Hundreds of scientists have worked to develop an affordable practical plan to reduce global warming. Here it is:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,481085,00.html
http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM040507.pdf

Answer 10

Safety over pseudo science? How many people should die in car accidents to justify any savings in co2? Is life that cheep to you?

Answer 11

ya it would email this email add to join a group of people that are trying to help prevent global warming

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pls help spread the word

thnx