As a partnership between environmental group Planet Ark and Phillips were about to announce a new campaign, federal Environmental minister, Malcom Turnbull stole their thunder. The campaign was to be called, Ban the Bulb, and now in an announcement to the press, Malcom has stated that the incandescent light bulbs were to get the flick.

The minister suggested that during its three year phase out the number of CO2 emissions saved would be 800,000 tonnes, with an even more pleasing reduction of 4 million tonnes by 2015. Apart from the needs of medical equipment, the incandescent bulbs will be banned by legislation between 2009-2010. The replacement for these bulbs? Compact flourescent, therwise known as CFL’s.

It is only a matter of time until the LED company will jump on the opportunity as well as their competition. A shocking statistic is that globally lighting is equal to the emissions contributed by 70% of the world’s vehicles. The only thing better than switching out the bulbs, is turning them off when not needed.