Other campaigns
Black Balloons campaign
WMV file size [2.9Mb]
Download the Quicktime version [2.8Mb]
The Queensland Government aired the Black Balloons advertisement across Queensland in October 2008.
The Black Balloon television campaign encouraged all Queenslanders to take simple steps to save energy at home and reduce the impact of climate change.
Black balloons were used as a simple way to measure and visually represent greenhouse gas emissions around the home.
Big Light Switch
This campaign has now finished - Thank you Queensland for your enthusiasm in making the big switch to reduce our State's carbon footprint!
About The Big Light Switch campaign
During November 2008, the Queensland Government gave away 1 million energy saving light bulbs (CFLs – standard bayonet fitting) as part of The Big Light Switch.
The campaign was undertaken to help Queenslanders switch on to making a difference and reducing their carbon footprint. Switching to more efficient lighting is an affordable way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the environment - it's a simple action that everyone can do.
The Queensland Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland vision outlines the government’s commitment to tackling climate change and helping Queenslanders reduce their carbon footprint.
Giveaway details
The campaign was undertaken over two phases:
1. On Sunday 9 November 2008, The Sunday Mail newspaper readers were able to clip a token from the paper and present it at a participating newsagency to pick up two free energy saving light bulbs. 250,000 packs of two bulbs were given away.
2. From Monday 10 November 2008, Queenslanders who missed out The Sunday Mail giveaway were able to pick up a free pack of four energy saving bulbs from participating Australia Post outlets. 125,000 packs of four bulbs were given away.
Bulb stocks at newsagencies and Australia Post outlets were snapped up within 24 to 48 hours of the giveaway commencing - a record for the biggest 'green' giveaway in Australia! Congratulations Queensland!
Queenslanders who missed out on the giveaway can still make the big switch to energy savings by either purchasing energy saving lights from lighting and home retailers, or registering for the ClimateSmart Home Service.
The Big Light Switch competition
Queenslanders were able to enter a Big Light Switch competition to win one of three major prizes and 200 minor prizes if the bulb turned green upon installation.
The major prizes were:
1st Prize: Honda Civic Hybrid
2nd Prize: 1.05kW Solar system from Infinity Solar
3rd Prize: 9 nights accommodation for two people at the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa, Far North Queensland
The minor prizes were a free ClimateSmart Home Service and free Sunday Mail subscription for one year for all green light winners.
The competition opened at 9am Sunday 9 November 2008 and closed at 5pm on Monday 17th November 2008.
If you have installed your bulbs post 17 November and found a green light bulb, unfortunately you have missed the competition deadline. However, until 31 December 2008, you can phone The Sunday Mail on 07 3666 6549 to request a replacement for your green light bulb so you can continue to use them and make the savings.
Energy savings from CFLs
Quick facts:
- CFLs last up to 12,000 hours, 11,000 hours longer than incandescent light bulbs
- CFLs use only 20 per cent of the electricity to produce the same amount of light and are an easy, cleaner alternative to the traditional incandescent globe.
- CFLs are cost-effective saving the household budget about $115 per globe over 12,000 hours of usage.
- Switching 1 million traditional incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving lights will cut Queensland’s greenhouse gas emissions by around 72,000 tonnes every year.
Information about CFLS
See the lighting section of this website for more information about CFLS.
Energy savings around the home
For further information about how you can save energy around the home, see the Your home section of this website, or sign up to take the Low carbon diet!
You can download the latest version of Acrobat Reader for free.