We're currently experiencing a shortage of electricity resulting in planned outages all over the country, to assist our supplier to cope with the load. Everyone is affected, businesses and individuals, rich and poor - we're an equal opportunity society here. Even our traffic lights are affected causing serious problems in high volume areas.
Recently the local authorities visited each household swapping traditional light bulbs for new energy saving bulbs, in an effort to manage the problem.
In the evenings - around the time everyone is cooking dinner - the usage meter is displayed on the TV with a request to switch off all non-essential appliances.
So my question is, why do we need our street lights on, at midday, when the sun is shining? These few whispy clouds in the sky are not affecting visibility! Surely one should lead by example if you want the job done right?
Through the Transkei
-
Up early again, cos everyone's itching to get through the Transkei. When
the bikes start revving, you know you'd better hurry, or you could be left
behind....
15 years ago
8 comments:
Perhaps the lights are controlled by a light-sensitive program. Power outages are always a bit daunting, but I think countries who have an abundance of energy are lucky and often we citizens are careless about usage. Somethings gotta give, as they say!!
I wish we had a power usage meter on the TV. It would have a huge impact. It would also be great to have the electricity usage for the house shown digitally. If you did that somehow I would buy one! It would provide a real incentive to reduce power usage at home.
Its probably not such an issue in Durban but here in Seattle there is a big trend to reduce energy consumption. People are thinking of it in many ways - power usage and also purchase of things that are produced efficiently, buying local produce, recycling more etc etc.
An interesting post and an interesting question. I, for one, need to really look at my energy consumption. We only recently fixed a leaky faucet (leaked HOT water) and it has been such a relief. Nice photo, cool that the lights show up during the day (but not cool that they are on :) )
That's an interesting problem. Street lights on during the daytime certianly seems like a waste.
Thanks for visiting my Susanville Daily photo. YES, I would like some help getting the drop down menu on my blog instead of the out dated list. I tried to insert the html, but I must not have done it right. So I put the listing up instead.
That's an interesting problem. Street lights on during the daytime certianly seems like a waste.
Thanks for visiting my Susanville Daily photo. YES, I would like some help getting the drop down menu on my blog instead of the out dated list. I tried to insert the html, but I must not have done it right. So I put the listing up instead.
Thanks for the comments.
Shannon: The usage meter is actually a guage showing the consumption for the whole country - low, medium, high, very high etc. Some houses however have "pay as you go" meters - i.e. you pay up front, then top up whenever you need to. I don't have one, but I think those must show how much you're using.
Last night was time for the planned outage in my area - 8pm to 10:30pm. No TV, no computer, no internet, no tea, no nothing.
As one of those who frequently works late into the night, I've decided there is a big benefit to this problem - go to sleep early, wake early, and have more day time to enjoy! i.e. live the way we were made! Night time should be for sleeping anyway.
In summer, the sun comes up at around 5am, so there is plenty of day time to get things done.
Interesting problem of outages. This really must affect your blogging time, and post photo editing on the computer.I always have wondered about all the city street lights we have on at night; can we make due with half of them?
Dusty Lens: Outages are a real nuicance for blogging as well as my website development! Although I work on a laptop so have some battery power, my adsl modem needs the electricty!
Good thought on the night lights. While they provide a measure of security, if this is not a issue for an area, it could certainly be worth switching off when most people are asleep.
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