bright idea

I've heard of the push for white LED street lights, and the cost/benefit analysis of switching an entire city's (such as SF) street lights from incandescent to LED. It would be expensive for sure, but energy savings would pay for it within ten years, and the energy/environmental/maintenance savings after that would be considerable.

I had not considered the impact of solar-powered LED light bulbs on the developing world. From the green design blog Inhabitat:

1.6 billion people in the world still use kerosene lamps for light. Not only are they non-renewable and expensive — they can consume up to 5% of a family’s income — they also give off noxious cancer-causing fumes that amount to the emissions of 30 million cars. Nokero plans to improve air quality and reduce global warming emissions by replacing the unhealthy use of kerosene with their durable, rainproof, solar powered LED light bulb.

Very bright idea indeed! And great for urban use as well.

I love how they designed the casing to look like a lightbulb, including the threads, even though it will never have to screw into anything.