LED Spells End of Disposable Light Bulbs

The rapid advance of light-emitting diode technology is blazing the way to greener lighting, the New York Times reports. LED lighting, once used only in the likes of traffic lights and scoreboards, is now being adopted by a growing number of cities and businesses. Experts say the lights, which last for decades, are twice as efficient as compact fluorescent  bulbs, and (unlike compact fluorescents) contain no toxic elements; perhaps they could turn lighting away from disposable bulbs entirely.

Studies predict that conversion to LED lighting could cut carbon emissions from electric lighting by 50% in about 20 years, the Times reports. "At this point, LEDs can’t be used in all lights, but that’s changing every month,” said a consultant who installed Buckingham Palace's lights. “If you go into Wal-Mart, and look at all those twin 8-foot fluorescents above every aisle, you realize that the potential is enormous.” (More lighting stories.)