Saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions Modern lighting helps protect the environment

Saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions Modern lighting helps protect the environment
Date:2014/2/11 10:18:03
Saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions Modern lighting helps protect the environment
What is CO2?
The world climate is changing. Experts have long warned of the consequences of global warming, which we can all see in the form of changes in the weather. A great deal of global warming is attributed to the greenhouse effect – the build-up of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO2), that increases the amount of solar energy that is not reflected by the Earth and locks it into the atmosphere. So one important goal of environmental protection is to reduce CO2 emissions.
Climate target: 20 percent energy cut
The European Union (EU) and the German government have set ambitious climate targets: by 2020, energy consumption across the EU should be reduced by 20 percent. That will save 780 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.
CO2 is produced in large quantities by the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal – e.g. where they are used to generate electricity in power stations. 19 percent of all electricity worldwide is used for lighting; in Europe, lighting accounts for around 14 percent of total energy consumption.
Four-fifths goes on professional lighting, i.e. lighting for industry, for trade and commerce, for the public sector and for transport systems. The other 20 percent is consumed by domestic lighting.
Modern lighting points the way
In Germany alone, around 13 million metric tons of CO2 a year could be saved by a systematic switch to energy-efficient lighting. Today's technology makes it possible to cut the energy required for lighting by as much as 80 percent.
The aim is to produce lots of power (=light) from as little energy (=electricity) as possible. The way forward is signalled by modern lighting electronics: lamps with high luminous efficacy, electronic operating devices, luminaires optimised for optical control as well as daylight utilisation and lighting management systems make for energy-efficient lighting and thus lower CO2 production. At the same time they ensure a high quality of lighting, which promotes a sense of wellbeing and is good for our health.
The Lighting Special "Energy efficiency plus lighting comfort: Intelligent lighting solutions help slow global warming" presents efficient solutions for nearly every area of life. Numerous calculation examples show how savings can be made.More information please visit www.greendyled.com