Letters to the Editor
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Migraines and forced compliance
I too suffer hideous migraines and eyestrain brought on by CFLs (and other fluorescents). I do my best by the environment though. From using greenbags to driving a vespa to NOT using an air conditioner (even when the days are 100+ deg F), I feel like I'm making more of an effort than a lot of people.
So when the Australian Government decides to ban incandescents, it really REALLY annoys me. Its a diversion. A way for the Government to be "doing something" when they’re actually just diverting attention away from the real (harder to solve) issues of climate change and energy sources.
Meanwhile, I look like the bad guy stocking up on incandescents so that I don't suffer from debilitating headaches. What a ridiculous world.
Also, on the 'incandescents providing heat' front, my partner and I keep three reptiles. Their enclosures all rely on incandescent light globes to provide both light and the required amount of heat. Using a heatpad or ceramic light fixture would eat up a lot more energy and both are less cost-effective. What do I tell them? Sorry guys, no more heat for you?
I'm so over governments using this issue as a diversion away from the real problems. Want to save some energy? Don't ban incandescents. Try taxing coal fired power plants. Try giving real subsidies to solar power. Why not raise the tax on petrol, then use that to subsidise public transport? Just piss off on the CFLs frankly. They're an inferior technology, and cause a host of problems for a lot of people (and reptiles!)