By Kay Phillips
Above Images courtesy of Dark Sky International.
This month I am taking a break from reviewing children’s picture books and highlighting a very important community issue, the Dark Sky movement, which works worldwide to increase awareness of the importance of enhancing dark skies and eliminating light pollution.
Pleasant nighttime walks to do stargazing can be back on the agenda with the arrival of summer. However, the number of stars we can see from almost all locations on earth is rapidly being reduced by light pollution from our artificial outdoor lighting.
Light pollution is a problem that goes beyond reducing visibility of the starry sky. The levels of darkness at night are directly related to health and survival of most life on earth, and are a significant factor in human health. Problems with sleep, depression, metabolic function and more in humans can be related to artificial light at night.
Fortunately, there are affordable, effective, easy changes we can make to reduce light pollution. Consider the following recommendations from Dark Sky International for evaluating your home’s outdoor lighting and making some changes. Dark Sky International is a nonprofit founded in 1988 “to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting”. https://darksky.org/
Dark Sky International lists five criteria for effective reduction of light pollution — listed on the picture above, Five Lighting Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Every little bit each of us can do to meet these criteria helps.
1. Useful. The lighting has a clear purpose.
2. Targeted. The light falls where you want it and does not spill over.
3. Low Level. Use the lowest light level necessary.
4. Controlled. Use light only when needed. Timers and motion sensors are recommended.
5. Warmer. Use bulbs that give warmer light. Avoid shorter wavelength blue light.
Another way to support dark skies in your community is to advocate for establishment and better implementation of a dark sky ordinance. Contacting your local government representative and strongly supporting a local a dark sky ordinance will emphasize the importance of dark skies and help move your area toward being a dark sky area.
It is not uncommon to hear the fear expressed that installing dark sky lighting will result in an increase in crime. However, data indicates that properly installed dark sky lighting does not lead to an increase in crime. In fact, because correctly installed dark sky lighting removes glare and deep shadows, it increases accurate visual surveillance and may actually deter criminal activity.
So, during nighttime walks this summer, enjoy our gorgeous stars and consider becoming a dark sky property and perhaps move toward being a dark sky neighborhood. You might also consider joining one of the Dark Sky organizations listed below.
Further Resources
DarkSky Wisconsin is a non-profit organization in Wisconsin advocating for dark skies. They have a Facebook page with good information.
Starry Skies North is a Minnesota organization promoting dark skies. Their website has a wealth of information on ways to reduce light pollution and promote dark skies. https://starryskiesnorth.org/
The Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative has valuable, usable tips for promoting dark sky lighting. If you are interested in more information on dark sky friendly lighting fixtures and bulbs, please refer to the link below for the website of the Kickapoo Dark Sky Initiative. Their website has a wealth of information on the Resources page about selecting dark sky friendly fixtures and bulbs. http://www.4darkskies.org/
Finally, WDRT radio from Viroqua has a monthly podcast entitled Kickapoo Night Life. The program explores the effects of artificial lighting on the environment, ways to promote dark sky lighting and highlights many other valuable and entertaining dark sky topics. The podcasts are archived and can be accessed through the WDRT website https://www.wdrt.org/.
All pictures used this post are used courtesy of Dark Sky International with their expressed permission.
.main-header-bar{ visibility: visible!important; } .ast-mobile-header-wrap{ visibility: visible!important; } #masthead{ visibility: visible!important; }
.main-header-bar{ visibility: visible!important; } .ast-mobile-header-wrap{ visibility: visible!important; } #masthead{ visibility: visible!important; }