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Monday 13 February RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE

Earth Beat - The Repair Manifesto: you too can fix things

On air: 3 September 2009 22:00 - 9 September 2009 22:00 (Photo: RNW)

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On this week's Earth Beat: Europe bans the old-school 100W incandescent light bulbs; a bridge in Mumbai may ease congestion but at what cost; and we explore the merits of the Repair Manifesto.

 

Listen to the programme:

No more 100W bulbs in Europe
Europe’s hardware and DIY stores are preparing for a last rush this weekend to buy old-style 100W incandescent light bulbs. As of September they will be not be available anywhere in the EU – sacrificed in the battle against global warming. And, over the next 3 years, all lower wattage incandescent bulbs will be phased out too. Their disappearance has provoked protests from a wide range of traditionalists, who dislike the light emitted by new low-energy bulbs, the idea of being told what to do and the price of newer bulbs. Thijs Westerbeek went to a lighting shop in Amsterdam to check out what’s left on offer for consumers.
Listen to the segment

Pros and cons to a new bridge in Mumbai
Mumbai is India’s Manhattan. It’s a hip-happening over-populated island of a city whose inhabitants fight a daily battle through gridlocked traffic to get to work. A new bridge called the Sealink - hailed as a showcase of Indian engineering - now straddles the inlet of Mahim Bay and promises to cut congestion by 75%. Commuters may be pleased but the project has been dogged by controversy and objections, particularly from Mumbai’s fishing community who claim that since construction started, fish have disappeared. Earth Beat's Marnie Chesterton went to investigate.
Listen to the segment

A Repair Manifesto challenges the throw-away society
Have you ever thrown away something you know can probably be fixed? Your Ipod breaks and you cringe at your dependence on the Apple store. Or perhaps your washing machine is busted and you have a hunch that it's something simple, but you haven't got a clue. That feeling of helplessness as you realize that all your years of education have taught you nothing of mechanics or electronics. Earth Beat's Jan Huisman takes you along in search of empowerment, prompted by a Repair Manifesto he received in the mail from Amsterdam's Platform 21. 
Listen to the segment

Read the Repair Manifesto written by Platform 21.

That’s all for this week but tune in next week to find out what insects ever did for us.
 

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Discussion

Maurice Linker 6 September 2009 - 6:06am
I am a retired electrical engineer and have on numerous occasion repaired an electrical appliance despite warnings by serviceman that the item cannot be repaired due to lack of spare parts The way not is to get a serviceman working for a firm supplying new equipment Some Examples are 1. A Carrier ducted air conditioning unit burned out fan coil motor was replaced and available from Carrier for the same or similar motor assembly 2. A Carrier ducted air conditioning unit noisy compressor motor assembly was replaced with a similar unit fitted by a servicemen who is good at fitting units by modifying the compressor interior to fit the new unit The cost of a new unit was 3 times the cost of the repairs. However the technician claimed the old air conditioning unit to be in good condition and capable of outlasting the warranttee period of a new unit . The new units only last as long as the warrantte period after which no more spare parts are available for repair of many electronic assemblies which cannot be replaced with similar units. 3. A washing machine faulty cold water valve which the serviceman claimed was not available and in any case he claimed the new units are very cheap and will be more economical than continuous repairs. The valve was available and replaced and the unit has been working without breaking down for 3 years well beyond the warrantte of a new washing machine after which spare part not available and cannot be replaced because they are electronic components which must be replaced with the original component 4. A dishwasher with a faulty pressure valve switch, I had two serviceman who could not locate the fault and recommended that I buy a new machine I looked at the circuit diagram and determined the fault; purchased a new valve and also repaired the old one. This was a year ago with the same argument applicable as above re warranttee period and lack of or equivalent spare parts after this period In addition repairing a unit saves a lot of pollution by disposing an old unit and manufacturing a new unit The argument that new units are energy saving is negated by the pollution created when replacing it with a new unit

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