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In 2005, United States sales of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs)-which use much less energy than conventional bulbs-accounted for less than 5 percent of U.S. lightbulb sales. In 2007-the year the public was bombarded with news of a looming threat of climate change due to by-products of global energy consumption-CFLs accounted for an estimated 20 percent of lightbulbs sold, and companies selling them increased their revenues significantly.

The statements above would best serve as support for the claim that

Rationale

Some consumers who began to use CFLs in 2007, or later, did so for environmental reasons.

The increase in CFL sales from less than 5 percent in 2005 to an estimated 20 percent in 2007 coincided with heightened public awareness of climate change, suggesting that environmental concerns influenced consumer behavior during this period.

A (sales of CFLs would have significantly increased by 2007 due to the reduced amount of energy used) YOUR ANSWER

While CFLs do use less energy than conventional bulbs, the statement does not directly support the claim. The increase in sales may be attributed to various factors, including environmental awareness, rather than solely the energy efficiency of CFLs.

B (some consumers who began to use CFLs in 2007, or later, did so for environmental reasons) CORRECT

This option aligns with the context provided, as the surge in sales in 2007 corresponds with increased media focus on climate change, implying that environmental concerns played a significant role in consumer decisions to switch to CFLs.

C (governments did not place sufficient priority on educating the public about the danger of human-caused climate change) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is not supported by the extract, as it does not address the reasons behind the increase in CFL sales. It focuses on governmental actions rather than consumer behavior influenced by environmental awareness.

D (advertising was the main factor in helping consumers change their behavior) YOUR ANSWER

The extract does not provide evidence that advertising was the primary driver of increased sales. It highlights the impact of environmental awareness rather than specific marketing strategies.

E (sellers of CFLs marketed them as a money-saving product rather than as an environmentally friendly product) YOUR ANSWER

While cost savings may be a factor in marketing, the extract emphasizes the timing of sales growth with increased climate change awareness, suggesting that environmental reasons were more influential in consumer choices than purely economic ones.

Conclusion

The evidence presented indicates that the rise in CFL sales was closely linked to growing environmental concerns, particularly in response to climate change discussions in 2007. This suggests that many consumers shifted to using CFLs for environmental reasons, supporting option B as the most appropriate conclusion.

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