Farewell to Fluorescents
The lighting-related decisions taken at Minamata COP4 and COP5 will result in significant climate benefits, such as:
(cumulatively from the implementation dates through 2050)
Eliminating 193 tonnes of mercury pollution
Avoiding 2.963 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions
Saving US$1.23 trillion on electricity bills
Global Leaders Agree to Full Phase-Out of Fluorescent Lighting
At the Minamata Convention on Mercury Fifth Conference of Parties (COP5), delegates from 147 countries agreed to phase out florescent lighting globally and completely by 2027
Benefits through 2050:
Avoid 2.7 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions
Eliminate 158 tonnes of mercury pollution
Save US$1.13 trillion on electricity bills
Aileen Mioko Smith Endorses Farewell to Fluorescents Petition
Aileen Mioko Smith, a leading voice of decades of anti-mercury advocacy stemming from the tragedies of Minamata, Japan, has endorsed the #FarewelltoFluorescents Petition. The petition calls on global leaders to protect people & the planet from the harmful effects of mercury at the Minamata Convention on Mercury COP5 by phasing out mercury-laden fluorescent lamps once and for all.
Read her statement
“The goal of phasing out fluorescent lights as soon as possible is in keeping with the spirit of the Minamata Convention’s efforts to ‘Make Mercury History’. This year, on the Convention’s 10th anniversary, I wholeheartedly endorse this petition and stand with partners at Clean Lighting Coalition, Zero Mercury Working Group, Climate Action Network and others in urging global leaders to protect people and the planet from the harmful effects of mercury. Let’s say farewell to fluorescents!” – Aileen Mioko Smith
PHOTO CREDIT: MITSUE NAGASE
Join Mioko Smith in signing the petition to say #FarewelltoFluorescents once and for all.
Convention on Mercury agrees to phase out major category of fluorescent light bulbs, but last-minute interventions delay action on another
At the Minamata Convention on Mercury fourth Conference of Parties (COP4), 137 governments adopted amendments to phase out a major category of fluorescent lighting, but actions were stalled on others. All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, a chemical of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization.
Benefits through 2050:
Avoid 263 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions
Eliminate 34.8 metric tonnes of mercury pollution
Save US$105.6 billion on electricity bills