In a move to cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, New York City (USA) and Buenos Aires (Argentina) are replacing street lights with energy efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In New York, every light in the city will be replaced by 2017, saving an impressive $14 million. Replacing the 250,000 street lights marks the largest retrofit in the USA, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a projected 30 percent.

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: “With roughly a quarter-million street lights in our City, upgrading to more energy efficient lights is a large and necessary feat. It will save taxpayers millions of dollars, move us closer to achieving our ambitious sustainability goals, and help us to continue reducing City government’s day-to-day costs and improving its operations.”

In Buenos Aires, increased public safety also contributed to the decision to switch to LEDs. The white light of LEDs (as opposed to the orange glow of sodium lights) enables better facial recognition by both people and security cameras, strengthening crime prevention. The LED lights will reduce energy use by 50 percent in the city, and will last five times longer than conventional lighting, lowering maintenance costs.

For more information on New York, click here; on Buenos Aires, click here.