Advocates of Change: CLiC Partners Championing the Phase-out of Mercury-Laden Fluorescents
All fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause harmful and long-term health effects to people and the planet. Fluorescent lighting is ubiquitous, therefore the risk for lamp breakage that releases mercury is in homes, schools, child care settings, office and apartment buildings, retail stores, factories, health care, and other facilities.
The Clean Lighting Coalition’s Advocate network is bolstering public health and reducing carbon emissions by supporting the African Lighting Amendment, a proposed amendment that would phase out fluorescents worldwide through the Minamata Convention. Consisting of public health, environmental, and climate advocates, our network is supporting the accelerated transition to clean, energy-efficient LED lighting to protect people and the planet.
“Accelerating the transition to clean, LED lighting is a no-brainer,” says Griffins Ochieng from CEJAD Kenya. “Under the proposed amendment, the world has a unique chance to not only get rid of mercury-containing fluorescents but also ensure consumers world over have access to quality, cost-effective and durable lighting.”
Clean Lighting for a More Equitable World
By joining the Clean Lighting Coalition (CLiC), health, environmental, and policy organizations and associations contribute concretely to global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Our network of advocates supports these efforts by conducting market research and preparing local evidence on the potential to phase-out mercury-based fluorescent lighting. This critical data is used to facilitate dialogue with policymakers and governments and inform their decision at the upcoming Minamata Convention Conference of the Parties (COP4).
“As wealthy countries lead the lighting transition, the rest of the world must not become dumping grounds for toxic, outdated products like fluorescent bulbs. Instead, consumers in under-served markets must also access high-quality, zero-mercury LED lighting. Clean Lighting Advocates reaffirm that a global transition to clean lighting must be equitable,” says Hannah Blair, Communications and Advocacy Lead.
The global reach of CLiC Advocates
The Advocates network spans thirty-three NGOs and associations in 21 countries across Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
In India, Toxics Link engages with over 500 members to disseminate evidence-based reports and articles to strengthen campaigns against toxic pollution and provide cleaner alternatives and help create solutions, including phasing out mercury-containing products in India.
In Africa, our partners include the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), which engages with government and legislators on ways to mitigate climate change. They also provide technical services advice on hazardous waste management.
We have also partnered with the Responsible Purchasing Network from the United States of America, which promotes socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing by sharing purchasing guides, and the Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances Project in Southern and Eastern Africa, an organization that supports the development of vibrant markets for energy-efficient lighting and appliances across East and Southern Africa.
In Europe, we work with the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee), which generates and provides evidence-based knowledge and analysis of policies. Additionally, we partner with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), an organization devoted to monitoring and advising the European Union on how to handle the most pressing environmental problems.
Join the Coalition
Public health, environmental, and climate advocates can join the Clean Lighting coalition by signing the CLiC advocates pledge or by reaching out to the Coalition’s Communication Associate, Win Njueh (wnjueh@cleanlightingcoalition.org ).