Light Pollution — Theft of the Night - International Dark-Sky ...
Light Pollution — Theft of the Night - International Dark-Sky ...
Light Pollution — Theft of the Night - International Dark-Sky ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
levels. In addition, going from over lit areas to<br />
darker areas means that we don’t see too well<br />
(transient adaptation), and <strong>the</strong> opposite holds<br />
as well.<br />
F. Use energy effi cient light sources, <strong>Light</strong><br />
sources vary greatly in <strong>the</strong>ir effi ciency. Consider<br />
especially <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> low pressure sodium<br />
lamps; <strong>the</strong>y are most effi cient <strong>of</strong> all, and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are also strongly preferred by astronomers as<br />
<strong>the</strong> light output by LPS is essentially all<br />
one color and can be fi ltered out quite<br />
well. LPS is excellent for street lighting,<br />
parking lots, security lighting, and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
applications where color rendering is not critical.<br />
Careful lighting design can be done<br />
using LPS for essentially any application.<br />
V. It all works! Such quality lighting design has<br />
been used for some time now in many locations.<br />
Such cities are benefi tting by better lighting for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir citizens, by a great deal <strong>of</strong> energy savings,<br />
and by darker skies (but not darker streets). We all<br />
really do win.<br />
One way to effectively begin is for cities to<br />
appoint an Outdoor <strong>Light</strong>ing Working Group to consider<br />
<strong>the</strong> issues and to recommend specifi c solutions<br />
(including lighting control ordinances) tailored<br />
to local needs. Such “committees” have been<br />
quite effective in a number <strong>of</strong> locations. Most <strong>of</strong><br />
those active in both <strong>the</strong> astronomy and <strong>the</strong> lighting<br />
communities appreciate <strong>the</strong> advantages <strong>of</strong> good<br />
lighting and are eager to help implement <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Organizations in both <strong>the</strong>se communities have<br />
committees on this topic.<br />
VI. So what’s <strong>the</strong> problem? The main problem<br />
is that <strong>the</strong>re is still a vast lack <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> issues, <strong>the</strong> problem, and <strong>the</strong> common sense<br />
solutions. Education is <strong>the</strong> main thrust <strong>of</strong> most current<br />
activities. The second large problem is apathy.<br />
2<br />
Even with awareness, action is needed. Some<br />
consider it too big an issue to become involved<br />
with, o<strong>the</strong>rs feel that it is not important enough.<br />
Nei<strong>the</strong>r is a good enough reason for apathy.<br />
VII. Help is available. The relatively new <strong>International</strong><br />
<strong>Dark</strong>-<strong>Sky</strong> Association, a non-pr<strong>of</strong>i t organization,<br />
has been formed to help with <strong>the</strong> educational<br />
efforts. It is a membership based organization with<br />
members now in 70 countries. IDA has produced<br />
many information sheets discussing <strong>the</strong> issues,<br />
as well as slide sets and o<strong>the</strong>r material available<br />
for those who want to become informed and<br />
who want to help spread <strong>the</strong> word to o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Check out IDA’s web page on <strong>the</strong> Internet:<br />
http://www.darksky.org. There is a slowly growing<br />
awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> problems, and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> solutions,<br />
but much more educational outreach is needed.<br />
VIII. Conclusion. There is a problem, and it is still<br />
getting worse most everywhere. However, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
are solutions, and <strong>the</strong>y work. They also improve<br />
<strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> our nighttime lighting, and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
help us save a great deal <strong>of</strong> energy and<br />
money. Lack <strong>of</strong> awareness and apathy are<br />
<strong>the</strong> main problems. Action is called for.<br />
The conclusion is that: WE ALL WIN.<br />
IX. Thanks! Please do help us build awareness<br />
and<br />
overcome apathy, everywhere. The stars and <strong>the</strong><br />
universe need our help. Help us save <strong>the</strong> stars!<br />
Join us as a member!