In high scool, I remember learning electrical current with use of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Today, I've noticed how versatile LEDs can be but how sustainable are they to make? And, are they good for the environment? The fact that LEDs last longer than other lightbulbs should count towards their sustainability.
On the environment.co.za website, they state:
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the LED lights are relatively far less than the conventional incandescent or Compact fluorescent lights. According to carful calculations, one LED bulbs, providing the same luminosity as one incandescent bulb emits 80% less greenhouse gases.
LED lights are said to use three main materials to manufacture; plastic, phosphor & phosphorus. I'm not sure how abundant phosphor is but phosphorus is said to be the 12th most abundant element in the Earth's crust. The plastic one LED uses seems negligible considering the average longevity of use of one LED light but they do use plastic & many countries are banning single-use plastics & certain plastic products.
Maybe capitalists want people to buy more lightbulbs so are opposed to LED lighting in homes because of the longevity of their use but many believe they should be used for traffic lights, solar-powered streetlights & road signs also.
Solar-powered LED traffic lights & streetlights could be the difference between life & death for motorists & pedestrians in South Africa.