Carbon Reduction Campaign: Youth Groups - Why host a CFL Fundraiser and Bulb Swap
Looking for a way your youth group can raise money for an upcoming mission trip or youth retreat? Interested in living out the values of stewardship and service while raising the funds you need? Host a CFL fundraiser and bulb switch. Sell CFL's to members of your congregation and people in your community. Ask supporters to donate one CFL for each CFL they buy to give out to neighbors in need.
Electricity Production is the largest source of green house gas emissions in the United States. Since 25% of American electricity consumption is used for lighting, reducing the energy Americans consume for lighting will have a significant impact on our nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Compact fluorescent lights use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last about 10,000 hours, close to ten times as long. Replacing just one Incandescent bulb with a CFL will prevent 262 lbs of carbon dioxide pollution from entering the atmosphere. This means, that one of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption, cut carbon, and care for creation is to install compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Since saving energy saves money, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFL's could significantly reduce the burden of high utility bills faced by many in our communities every winter. A single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 8 cents per kWh, that equates to a $45 savings.
However, because CFL's are initially more expensive many of our neighbors living pay check to pay check cannot afford the added up front cost. By hosting a bulb switch, energy saving CFL's can be passed on to those who need them the most.