Letters
There’s no climate of confusion
Nick Cullen claims that there is a refusal by
iStockphoto
the “climate change establishment” to listen
to criticism (Journal, March, page 20). He
cannot understand why, given the inherent
uncertainties in modelling the climate, that
the “consensus of scientists is to accept
anthropogenic (man-made) global warming”.
It may be that the mass media rarely discusses
the uncertainties but it is misleading to suggest
that scientists do not. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change’s latest report is
very specific about the uncertainties and
goes to great lengths to try to quantify them.
What are not being openly discussed by the
media and CIBSE are the predicted impacts
of climate change. The IPCC report predicts
a rise in mean global temperature of perhaps
4°C by the end of this century. This may not lighting, using 50 per cent less energy than make us specify their equipment. Our job as
sound like much of a problem to many folk – a the ordinary household bulb. What is more, engineers is to provide systems that work with
pity about the polar bears, but on the positive they are dimmable, ideal for creating a cosy as little equipment as possible.
side, the UK’s climate will be like the south of ambience in any home. Peter Mills
France today. The reality is much more stark. Another exciting lighting development is Principal, MEP Consultancy FZE
A 4°C rise could result in most of Asia, Africa, LEDs, which have already provided decorative United Arab Emirates
Australasia, South and Central America and elements in our homes. Now, however, pmills@mepconsultancy.com
the US becoming uninhabitable through they are beginning to be real alternatives to
desertification and flooding. incandescent bulbs. This new breed of LEDs Engineering an identity crisis
So, let’s continue to argue about whether offers functional lighting and can be used in What is a building services engineer? The
or not man is causing climate change. It will lobbies, stairways and corridors. As its light public don’t know, the construction industry
take our mind off what sort of a legacy we are output and performance improves, LED thinks it knows and the BS engineer is himself
probably (but not certainly) bequeathing to our technology is set to bring even greater energy uncertain. The architect believes the BS engineer
children and other living species. And, maybe, efficiency and, more importantly, even greater is responsible for spoiling the aesthetics of his
just maybe, the “underdog” sceptics are right. opportunity and choice to homeowners. building, reducing lettable floor space and placing
Keep clutching at the straws, Nick. Mike Simpson carbuncles on his roof; the building contractor
Martin Ratcliffe MCIBSE Technical director, Philips Lighting and Design believes he is responsible for everything that goes
wrong on his contract; and the quantity surveyor
No going back on efficient lighting Don’t offer 20th century solutions believes he is responsible for all cost overruns.
In the heat of the debate on energy efficient Your recent article on IT cooling was really Ask a BS engineer to explain his job and he or she
lighting (Journal, February, p18; March, rather tired (Journal, March, p50). To state will write a specification. Ask his partner what he
Letters), it’s worth remembering that lighting that IT facilities are getting more power- and does for a living and he or she will shrug their
consumes nearly 20 per cent of global electricity cooling-hungry is really not worth mentioning shoulders. There is one big advantage that still
generation, so we cannot ignore its costs – either to engineers. To put forward a solution of “more impresses the neighbours: you can sign their
in terms of CO2 emissions, or financially. cooling” when we are consumed by reducing passports if you are one of the chartered variety.
However, one of the main sticking points our carbon use seems to be trying to bend a Mike Abbott FCIBSE (retired)
still seems to be the fact that, in most people’s 20th century solution to a 21st century problem.
minds, energy-efficient lighting is firmly The big players in the IT game are looking
CIBSE Journal welcomes article proposals from
associated with the compact fluorescent lamps at all kinds of interesting solutions, such as
any reader, wherever you are – whether it be
of the 1980s. This is no longer the case. CFLs floating server farms utilising wind and wave
letters, longer opinion pieces, news stories,
people or events listings, humorous items, or any
have changed dramatically in terms of shape power – server farms delivered in containers
ideas for possible articles.
and style. More significantly, new technologies with no cooling but using equipment able to
Please send all letters and any other items for
have now joined this somewhat down-trodden run without failure at varying temperature and
possible publication to: bcervi@cibsejournal.
member of the energy efficiency family. Light humidity levels. This is real engineering activity com, or write to Bob Cervi, Editor, CIBSE Journal,
sources such as halogen and LEDs are now that addresses the problem itself rather than
Cambridge Publishers Ltd, 275 Newmarket Road,
Cambridge, CB5 8JE, UK. We reserve the right to
available, giving consumers more choice trying to treat the symptoms.
edit all letters. Please indicate how you wish your
than ever before. Revolutionary energy saving Don’t let’s rely on manufacturers and letter to be attributed, and whether you wish to
halogen filament bulbs now offer crisp white suppliers for our information. Their job is to
have your contact details included.
14 CIBSE Journal April 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEapr09 pp14 letters.indd 14 2/4/09 14:56:15
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