Are you seeing stars? In Massachusetts, more than 75% of residents can’t see the Milky Way from their homes.
With light pollution increasing at roughly 10% per year worldwide this is not only a problem for astronomers and people who want to enjoy the beauty of a starry night. Even the glow from a neighbor’s bright and misdirected yard lighting can cause discomfort and distraction, disturb sleep, and adversely affect one’s quality of life.
The 2024 International Dark Sky week (visit www.darksky.org) is April 2 – 8. It is a worldwide event drawing attention to light pollution.
On April 30, the Tree Committee will present Dark Sky expert and astronomer, Dr. Mario Motta, chair of the Committee on Medical Effects of Light Pollution and president of the American Association of Variable Star Observers.
According to the committee, not seeing the night sky is more than missing a connection to the universe beyond our each. The earth and all its creatures evolved with the circadian rhythm of night and day, but over the past century the boundaries between day and night have been obscured by the widespread adoption of electric light at night. Not only does a dark sky have cultural impact, poorly designed or excessive night lighting harms the immediate environment in many ways. Harm includes disrupting our natural sleep patterns, blinding and distracting drivers, and disorienting many insects, bats, and birds, causing death due to impact or predation.
Unnecessary lighting costs money. According to one recent estimate, light streaming up into the night sky from cities and towns in Massachusetts equates to more than $10,000,000 in wasted electricity annually.
The need to protect and restore the natural nighttime environment is more urgent than ever and protecting the night sky starts with you. By following five simple principles for responsible outdoor lighting at home, you can protect nocturnal wildlife, be a good neighbor, comply with local regulations and preserve the night sky.
- Use only fully shielded LED fixtures so lights shine down, not up.
- Use only the right amount of light needed. Too much light is wasteful and harms wildlife.
- Install timers and dimmer switches and turn off lights when not in use. If you must have security lighting, use motion sensors.
- Use energy efficient bulbs that are only as bright as you need.
- Use lighting with a color temperature below 3000K, the warm spectrum, to reduce the blue (cool) light that is more harmful to many species.
Learn more about the impacts of artificial light on wildlife, habitats, and our community at this free lecture. Take the Dark Pledge to protect the night by following the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Thank you for helping in the fight against light pollution while celebrating the irreplaceable beauty of natural night.
