How many lightbulbs does it take to save the world?

nospam@example.com (Rob and Heidi) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:42:54 -0500

Scientists confirmed the other day what most of us instinctively knew - that we humans are to blame for global warming. The United Nations panel of 2500 scientists representing 130 countries said there is a 90% certainty that our use of fossil fuels since the start of the industrial revolution in 1750 is contributing to climate change.

The problem seems so immense that it is hard to see how any one individual can make a difference. But there is a way... and it starts with the humble lightbulb.

Energy Saving Lightbulbs (or Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs as they are known in the USA) last 8-10 times longer than regular bulbs, use about 75% less energy, and produce 90% less heat while delivering more light per Watt. For example, a 25 Watt Energy Saving Lightbulb provides the same amount of light as a 100 Watt regular bulb.

Their lower energy requirements means that they reduce the amount of electricity used, which in turn reduces the amount of coal and oil burnt in power stations around the world, and therefore the amount of greenhouse gas (and mercury) pumped into the atmosphere.

Oh, and did we mention that they work out cheaper over the long run too? Around £35 ($66) savings per bulb over their lifetime!

As one influential US blogger pointed out, "If we switched all our bulbs, we could stop importing oil altogether. Without giving up one Hummer."

And yet, only 6% of Americans have even one Energy Saving lightbulb in their homes...

So what has this got to do with 6 degrees of separation and friendship networks? Nothing. Except that it is exactly these types of networks which can pass this kind of idea around the globe in days. And it is a subject that we feel pretty stongly about. And yes, our home has Energy Saving lightbulbs in pretty much every room, and has done for the last 5 years - in fact, we are still using most of our original lightbulbs!.

So please, if you are a blogger - blog about this. Or maybe send a link to this page to everyone you know so they can read about it. Or feel free to copy the text and make your own email. Just please - spread the word!

And change your lightbulbs to save the world.

Word of Mouth Advertising

nospam@example.com (Rob and Heidi) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 10:55:22 -0400

Word of mouth is the best type of advertising; its free, and a great idea, service or product can quickly reach millions of people when friends tell friends about it.

But it can also be one of the most difficult to achieve. We all have our networks of friends, but often they don't often want to be 'sold' our new product or business idea, regardless of how soft the sell. And how many will then tell their friends?

Enter the Million People Page. Instead of telling all your friends about your new website and just hoping they will find it exciting enough to pass on, why not add a profile, then invite them all to join in too - so you can all discover your six degrees of separation.

That way, not only will you get a great ranking on our site, but you also piggy back your favourite website onto a great viral one! One which your friends friends are much more likely to pass on. After all, giving your friends the opportunity to find out their six degrees of separation means there is something in it for them too...

And if you don't have a website to promote, you can just enjoy the fun of joining in and seeing how you are connected to the world!

We welcomed our first Danish profile on the site this week, and the canny Scots are moving up the rankings as the word spreads in Edinburgh. We have an amazing 9 degrees of separation on the site already, and growing each day.

I have also recently added a visitor map to the site, so people can see where all our visitors are coming from.

Million People Page - Blog (Entries tagged as word of mouth)

How many lightbulbs does it take to save the world?

Word of Mouth Advertising