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 What Your Museum Does
Lighting
When you turn on a light, you’re using electricity—and in Illinois, about 80% of our electricity is generated by coal-burning power plants. When coal is burned, it gives off carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases that contribute to air pollution and global warming. In addition, coal is a non-renewable resource and we’re likely to run out of it someday.
To reduce our use of electricity and conserve natural resources, The Field Museum has implemented two new lighting policies that have proven quite successful. Our lighting efficiency commitment also received a big boost with a significant grant from the City’s Department of Environment.
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 Natural Lighting
Next time you step into the Museum, look up. You’ll see the sun streaming through our beautiful skylight ceiling, and you’ll probably notice that the gorgeous chandeliers aren’t actually lit.
To save energy, we illuminate Stanley Field Hall exclusively by natural light, which is much more energy conscious (and certainly more flattering.) When natural light is used for illumination instead of electricity, it’s called passive solar energy, and nothing is more efficient.
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Fluorescent Lighting
Fluorescent bulbs provide the same amount of light with less energy—in fact, they’re four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Although they’re a little more expensive, fluorescents pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime.
Throughout the Museum, we’re replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which actually fit in the same light socket. (You can even switch to these bulbs in your own home!)
Also, we’re outfitting older fluorescent fixtures with the new, more energy-efficient models that don’t produce that old-fashioned “greenish” glow. In the staff areas of the Museum, these changes are resulting in energy savings of 40%!
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Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits
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