The environmental benefits of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are finally entering the mainstream consciousness, and a new campaign supported by Yahoo will prompt millions of consumers to transition to better bulbs.

According to 18seconds.org, more than 14 million CFLs have been purchased so far this year, which over their lifetimes will eliminate nearly 6.5 billion tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

The website, which was developed by Yahoo and "An Inconvenient Truth" producer Lawrence Bender, explains that the bulbs will save consumers $30 or more in electricity over their lifetimes by using 1/3 of the energy of incandescent bulbs. It encourages consumers to take the 18 seconds required to swap bulbs.

I bought 2 CFLs yesterday, and the difference in the light is obvious. I replaced a 60 watt bulb with what is supposed to be a 75 watt equivalent, but the room is a tad dimmer. By today I'm already getting used to it.

General Electric, which also makes CFLs, isn't taking the shift sitting down. GE is developing a new high efficiency incandescent (HEI) bulb that will cost less than CFL while being twice as energy efficient as today's incandescents.

GE hopes to eventually make the bulbs just as energy efficient as CFLs, but the press release didn't mention durability, so the overall cost of the new bulbs might be higher.

Competition and consumer choice is good for everyone I hope CFLs with more of a yellow tint will be developed so that skeptical consumers will give them a try.