I'm getting tired of this namby-pamby "gotta save the Earth" stuff.
Each to his own I guess, althought acrimony isn't helpful.
Even from a total self-interest point, high-efficiency lighting
can lower overall cost or at least break even in short-term,
while providing adequate or even improved lighting quality.
Less waste heat indoors during hot periods means less air-conditioning
to remove it. Less waste electrical heat during cold periods at
least allows possibility of compensating with lower-cost (i.e. gas)
heat, although this may not always be true. Heat from outdoor
lighting is always lost, so best to throw away as little as possible.
Plus, some of us like to feel progressive, instead of waiting for
things to be (unfortunately) mandated up to and including legislation.
Ontario government is not bad in this regard, offering rebates on
CFL (but not LEDs yet) and no provincial sales tax (not sure how
long that's going to last). Phase-out of incans is coming though, and
I'll make one political statement to the effect that I don't agree with
it; should be handled by education, incentives, and choice (to pay
more for electrical bill if you want to, up to some point).
At a broader level, reduced consumption reduces load on
infrastructure and (in theory) cost of upgrades and new facilities.
Does not account for the real world where money gets saved
one place, and wasted elsewhere.
So for people who don't believe in climate change or don't care
about the environment...there's still something in it for you.
Dave