by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

One of the things I enjoy most in my co-housing community is that we don’t have much outdoor lighting. Solar lights illuminate the walkways from foot level, while only few lamps overhead light up the parking lot, allowing the stars and moon to quite literally, shine through the nights. Awareness of the moon cycles are a part of my evening strolls and hooping to music/drums in the field under only stars is extra magical.

Since the community is just a couple miles from downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro, we’re able to have this cake and eat it, too. Urban centers have a need to light up the night for safety, but it’s possible we’ve reached exaggerated proportions in our response. Some city areas are so bright, it defies logic and certainly, conservation of any sort. “But officer, I actually thought my headlights were on!”…..this happened to me more than once while driving in downtown areas:

This week, NY Times blog, Green Inc., reported that a number of municipalities are turning off streetlights to save energy, as much as 64% of them. Other programs include the switch to efficient lighting. St. Paul, MN, following the lead of cities like Anchorage and Austin, is currently testing LED streetlights in one of it’s neighborhoods. The advantages are many, including a brighter and whiter light, no mercury, less heat produced, and as much as a 10-year lifespan of each bulb. The energy savings averages around 50%, while further savings from lower maintenance costs sweeten the deal.

Ann Arbor, MI, already using LEDs, is also considering implementing motion sensors in areas, so lights come on only when needed. Now that’s smart and efficient! Imagine if stores and other public buildings, locked up at night, considered this option in lighting – energy/money savings AND theft prevention in one.

Motion sensor floodlights have been around for residential use for a long time and I wish they were more widely used. My theory is that it makes your home safer from intruders because the light coming on suddenly is more of deterrent than one that is on by routine.

The future of lighting and energy use is looking damn bright! Changed those bulbs at home or in the office yet? If you were intially turned off by the weird look and light of the introductory CFL bulbs, come out of the dark and into the many options of new and improved Super-efficient-super-saving CFL, solar and LED bulbs available today. Find 40 choices here on RealGoods.com, including indoor/outdoor floods, dimmables, 3-ways and speciality bulbs for your favorite lamps.