A unique 'ban the bulb' protest

A global switch-over to efficient lighting systems will trim the world's electricity bill by nearly one-tenth, the International Energy Agency says in a report, which it claims is the first global survey of lighting uses and costs. Nineteen per cent of the world's energy consumption is given over to lighting.

Incandescent bulbs, which are widely used across the world, are the biggest culprits in emitting carbon dioxide. The report also says though incandescent bulbs are the biggest efficiency offender, fluorescent tubes are the biggest consumer as they are extensively deployed in business premises who are basically just bad at turning them off.

The Greenpeace campaign 'Ban the Bulb' has been launched in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Bangalore.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a legislation, seeking a phase-out of incandescent light bulbs in India.

Image: A banner reading 'Ban the Bulb' floated on the Hoogly using life preservers in Kolkata on Monday.

Images: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty Images