Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumPro-Environment Light Bulb Labeling Turns Off Conservatives, Study Finds
How many conservatives does it take to change a light bulb? A more intriguing question might be, "How many conservatives can you persuade to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs?" New research suggests that fewer will buy such bulbs when they're labeled as being good for the environment, largely because the issue of carbon emission reductions is so politically polarizing in the United States.
"I think we've shown the negative consequences of environmental messaging," explained Dena Gromet, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, lead author of a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "In particular, you can lose significant portions of people who would otherwise be interested in these products when you use that environmental labeling. So it indicates that different messages can reach different groups." (See related interactive: "Light Bulb Savings Calculator."
The United States is one of many countries forcing a switch to more efficient light bulbs. In January, new efficiency requirements went into effect for 75-watt incandescent bulbs, following new standards on 100-watt bulbs a year earlier. (See related story: "U.S. Bids Farewell to the 75-Watt Incandescent Light Bulb." The changes are driving a projected 857 percent reduction in energy used for U.S. residential lighting by 2040, a greater cut than for any other area of household energy use. But consumer complaints have been persistent, and Congress cut funding to enforce the standards.
......
Political divisions appeared in purchasing choicesbut not until price became an issue. When all bulbs were priced the same, every participant save one chose the energy-efficient option regardless of political persuasion.
"That indicates that people recognize the greater economic value of the bulb when there isn't a higher up-front cost," Gromet explained. But when the study represented retail realities, that more efficient options carry a higher up-front price tag (though consumers save money in the long run through lowered utility bills), fewer conservatives were willing to pay the extra cash for bulbs labeled as good for the environment.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2013/04/130430-light-bulb-labeling/
Turbineguy
(37,392 posts)"Fuck the Earth!" Conservatives will empty their wallets.
kristopher
(29,798 posts)Maybe they won't be able to buy a 14th gun or that extra thousand rounds of much needed ammunition.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,946 posts)Mr. Conservative goes to the store to buy light bulbs. He picks a package off the rack, read the label, which says "These light bulbs use less energy and help preserve the environment." He snorts, "Good for the environment? Hell, I don't want that. Fuckin' tree-huggers." Then he picks up another package of light bulbs, which are exactly the same in terms of efficiency and price, except that the label says, "These light bulbs use less energy and will save you money." Mr. Conservative buys those light bulbs rather than the others because he thinks saving the environment is stupid.
Maybe the light bulb manufacturers should label their bulbs as being likely to cause serious air and water pollution but they will save you $1.00 a month; and sell them only in Red states. They'll make a fortune.
hatrack
(59,599 posts)The same formula can be applied to any number of political topics.
Nihil
(13,508 posts)... they should package the efficient bulbs in two forms - one with the standard labelling for
sensible people and one with the "Buy Me I'll Save You Money!" packet for the morons ...
plus the latter packet can be printed with a higher price tag ...
Win-win!
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)The world would be a better place.
pscot
(21,024 posts)Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)The lead author has cause and effect backward or at least sideways.
Kolesar
(31,182 posts)cprise
(8,445 posts)...an infestation of gays!
stuntcat
(12,022 posts)Go #humanity !!
cprise
(8,445 posts)NickB79
(19,283 posts)Give someone the option to buy the cheapest POS possible that you know you'll be fixing or replacing after a little bit of use, or the more expensive product that will last a lifetime, and they will ALMOST INVARIABLY pick the one that's cheaper upfront even though it will end up costing you much more in the long run. It's the Walmart Effect, spread across an entire society: don't worry if it breaks, you can just throw it away and drive down the road and buy another one for a few bucks.