The ball itself will be illuminated by more than 32,000 LED light bulbs, which are 20 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and will be 78 percent more energy efficient than the ball used in 2007. Each hour, the "green" ball used tonight will consume only about as much energy as two conventional home ovens. Meanwhile, the giant lighted numerals that will spell out 2010 are being delivered by pedi-cabs to save fuel, and many other efforts are being made to reduce the energy and environmental impacts of New Year's Eve in Times Square.
Much of the electricity needed for tonight's celebration is being supplied by volunteers peddling stationary bicycles hooked up to generators, which will reduce demand on the city's power supply and help the volunteers keep warm in the frigid New York evening.
Sure, there's an argument to be made that completely eliminating the lavish, televised celebration of New Year's Eve in Times Square--and other large and small celebrations worldwide--would do more to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment than simply implementing a few conservation measures. But that's unrealistic at best, and makes anyone who suggests it sound like a crank.
It might be more productive to see this approach as a symbol of a new era of conservation and efficiency, which may allow us all to live more responsibly and more sustainably, without making sacrifices so severe that they almost guarantee we won't be able to follow through on our good intentions.
Happy New Year.
http://environment.about.com
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