Special Bulletin
Our friends from the International Dark-Sky Association plan on presenting the latest information regarding outdoor lighting to our own very legislators and policymakers. Topics will include but not limited to energy efficiency, environmental impact and sustainable outdoor lighting solutions. This event couldn’t of come at a better time, when numerous cities across the United States have been reconsidering their lighting options due to the bail-out programme & new green measures. Having expects from the IDA before our politic figureheads will certainly help direct decisions such as these into motion.
Here is our chance to eradicate light pollution. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to attend the IDA’s informational briefing on light pollution.
Mail from a Senator or Representative’s constituent carries special weight, and we need your help to get the word to them directly. We’ve included a sample letter below, and it can easily be pasted into an email and sent to members of Congress.
To contact your Representative, visit:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
To contact your Senators, visit:
(See the upper right corner to link to your state’s Senators’ Web sites, then click on the link to contact the Senator.)
Please copy the text of this letter and paste it into an email to your Senator or Representative’s office.
Dear Senator/Representative:
Light pollution is a growing national and global problem that wastes billions of dollars in energy costs and creates massive greenhouse gas emissions. It threatens species– including humans– and hides the night sky, a timeless world cultural heritage. Light pollution is a problem that can be reduced simply by using environmentally responsible lighting when lighting is necessary, and no more light than is necessary for its intended purpose.
The time to act is now because, if not carefully implemented, new energy saving lighting technology can have unintended consequences: more light pollution; dangerous and annoying glare; effects on the environment. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) is a recognized technical expert in this area, with a twenty year history in the fight, and expert insight into the changing face of outdoor lighting.
The IDA is holding Congressional briefings on light pollution at noon on July 13 Room B339 Rayburn (House); July 14 Room SVC 210-212 (Senate). You and your staff have been invited to these briefings; I urge you to attend this luncheon event so you can help begin the long process of saving energy and reclaiming the night sky. Contact Milton Roney (milt@darksky.org) if there are any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Thank you for taking this important step for our ongoing fight to save the skies!
