This is an exciting time for light pollution control advocates. Everywhere you look, word is getting out that light pollution is a danger to our health and needs to be dealt with. The latest group to get onboard is the American Medical Association.
What follows is a recent Resolution #516 on the need to curtail improper outdoor lighting and rein in light pollution:
Subject: Advocating and Support for Light Pollution Control Efforts and Glare
Reduction for Both Public Safety and Energy Savings
Whereas, Our AMA has long advocated for policies that are scientifically sound and that
positively influence public health policy; and
Whereas, We in the AMA have an opportunity to influence and promote legislation at both the
national and state level on energy savings through a reduction in light pollution; and
Whereas, Light pollution is increasingly recognized as a waste of energy and a public safety
issue; and
Whereas, It has been calculated that over 10 billion dollars in wasted energy could be saved
with the use of full cutoff streetlights; and
Whereas, Emitted glare light is wasted light and accounts for about 40% of the light emitted by
standard streetlights (cobras), it is therefore a significant source of wasted electricity, and this
contributes to excess carbon dioxide production and possibly global warming; and
Whereas, Numerous states (Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine,
Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming), many
municipalities, and several countries have now enacted Light pollution control measures; and
Whereas, Light pollution control legislation is being proposed in Congress; and
Whereas, Streetlight glare causes decreased nighttime visibility by pupil constriction, and thus
leads to diminished nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard and
Whereas, Many older citizens are significantly affected by glare as the eye ages, leading to
unsafe driving conditions and
Whereas, Glare light is also light trespass and is intrusive and unwanted in households and
dwellings; and
Whereas, Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian
rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed
immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers and
Whereas, Light trespass disrupts nocturnal animal activity and results in diminished various
animal populations’ survival and health therefore be it
RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association advocate that all future outdoor lighting be
of energy efficient designs to reduce waste of energy and production of greenhouse gasses that
result from this wasted energy use (New HOD Policy); and be it further
RESOLVED, That our AMA support light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at
both the national and state levels (New HOD Policy); and be it further
RESOLVED, That our AMA support efforts to ensure all future streetlights be of a fully shielded
design or similar non-glare design to improve the safety of our roadways for all, but especially
vision impaired and older drivers. (New HOD Policy)
You can find the full text and supporting documentation for Resolution #516
