Should businesses be required to turn off lighted advertisements each night?

Question

If we are using that much energy to cause global warming, then why don't we take steps NOW? Don't you think it should be mandatory for businesses that are NOT open for business to turn off their lighted advertisements at night? Think about it, if it was mandatory for ALL businesses to turn off their lights from say 10pm to 6am, think about how much energy we would save!!! Instead of the costly installations of street lights, make it mandatory for businesses to have solar lights (not motion) or something similar installed. If this is possible, how do we take steps to get this passed? I just think it seems like an easy solution as I'm a business owner myself.

Answer 1

Probably a good idea up to a point - as long as there is some ambient light like street lights in the area to help prevent crime. Would be an interesting test case if one city would try it before putting on the books as law; as there are already too many laws in place founded on un-researched thinking.

I’m all for energy conservation, but the human-caused global warming thing is a myth.

Answer 2

Also, close all nightclubs, bars, stores and traffic signals.  Don't forget all those streetlights.  Also, shut down gas stations after dark since there will be nothing open and no reason for anyone to be out after dark.  

What a wonderful plan.... I'm in...  

What will all of that do besides make us much less safe?

Answer 3

Sure let's have the vote and everybody that votes yes can be required to buy the products that used to be advertised at night since they would be responsible for the businesses lost revenue.

If the business is paying for the energy they are using what makes you think you should have the right to tell them how and when to advertise unless you are personally prepared to support that business?

This is why I object to the AGW debate going on now, all the solutions end up in the erosion of someones freedom.

Answer 4

That is probably one of the the best idea's that I've heard in a long time!!!  Leaving the advertisement lights on in a business that doesn't operate at night or 24 hours a day does not make much sense, now that you've drawn my attention to it.  It's the equivalent of leaving the bath room sink running while brushing your teeth, but I think your idea would be more of positive impact on the enviorment.

Cindy W, I assume the the idea is to shut off advertisement lights in stores or buildings that are not open all night.  Circle K and other 24 hour stores like Wal-Mart would be in the clear.  For all the camels out there I don't think you would have to worry about the bars and clubs shutting off their lights, perhaps just after 2:00 a.m. (closing time).  Come on... do I have to explain why we need the street light's and traffic signal's running......

Way to go!!!  Hopefully you have got everyone's light bulb flashing above their heads. LOL.  Keep up the progressive pondering.

Answer 5

Up to a point I am in agreement with you - I am 100% behind the need to reduce our global consumption of energy and deal with the issues of global warming on an international scale.

The problem that I see with what you suggest is that there are many stores internationally who are open after 10pm - many of them are indeed open 24 hours a day.  (Personally I think this is rediculous as 20+ years ago societies managed perfectly well without 24 hour supermarkets, and I'm sure we could today!).

I believe that it should be mandatory for ALL new builds to include eough solar energy production and wind turbines for energy production to produce at least 50% of the expected requirement for that building - whether it be housing or businesses.  

I also believe that we should be phasing in the requirement for all businesses to install the above over say a 10year period.

As a small business owner, perhaps you could start by setting an example to others around you by installing just such devices as you talk of, and perhaps putting up notices in your business to let your customers know that you have sat up and taken notice, and that your lighting is off between these hours for this reason.  Regarding passing motions to get this made mandatory for all businesses, I don't know where in the world you are, but I would think that starting with your local council and getting it introduced as a bylaw (or your national equivilant if you're not in the UK) would be the best way to start.  Maybe trying to do this by getting other local businesses on board and together petitioning your local council to introduce this in your area.

Answer 6

Keeping lights on creates jobs thus more expendable money and thus more support for a greener earth.  If you turn them off, then then the electric company makes less money and the people who work there make less in bonuses and the economy suffers more and when the economy suffers, there's less money to go around for things like energy conservative bc it still is less important to society as a whole.