Why is it that city dwellers look up into the night sky and have a hard time seeing the stars? The answer is actually very simple- light pollution. Light pollution can be described as the brightening of the night sky, caused by large amounts of artificial outdoor lighting. In the case of light pollution, artificial light is frequently directed aimlessly into the night sky. Light pollution also includes light intrusion, which is the process by which light enters our homes from sources like a bright street light or such.
Light pollution comes from various sources, all of which involve poor lighting fixtures or unnecessary lighting. These sources include: street lamps and lighting, advertising and display lighting, commercial lighting, lighting for sports events and so forth. In any case, many forms of these various of lighting fixtures are typically bad because they allow light to shine upwards, rather than downwards.
How does light pollution affect us?
Light pollution has many effects on both mankind and wildlife, these effects include:
- unnecessary waste in money and energy
- death of migrating birds, who frequently collide with lighted buildings
- negative effects on bird’s behavior
- disrupt the habitats of plants which are dependent on light in their natural cycles
- death of insects who are drawn to the light
- choose outdoor lighting fixtures that shine downwards
- refrain from excessively lighting an area
- use motion sensors, so that lighting is only used when its needed
- buy energy efficient outdoor lighting products
- only light what needs to be lit
As people fight to improve the environment they often speak of finding and using renewable energy sources, lessening pollutants and so forth. However there is a very significant step that we can all take to reduce global warming. It is a step that is both easy and very accessible… planting trees!
Deforestation results in about 25% of carbon emissions, globally. This has been accelerated by the destruction of precious rainforests. Rainforests serve as a ‘cooling band’ along the Earth’s equator, making them play a significant role in climate change. As a result their destruction has had a significant influence on growing global warming. In reality, the effect that deforestation has on carbon emissions actually outweighs the damage caused by factories, cars and so forth.
According the Oxford based Global Canopy Programme, the destruction of rainforests and trees, is only second to the energy sector as a source for carbon emissions. According to the statistics of the Global Canopy Programme:
- Deforestation results in 25% of carbon emissions
- Transportation and Industry result in 14% each, of carbon emissions
- Aviation accounts for 3% of the total carbon emissions
“Tropical forests are the elephant in the living room of climate change,” said Andrew Mitchell, the head of the GCP. As a result the influence that trees have on the health of our environment cannot be overlooked.
Using trees to fight against carbon emissions and global warming, does not require any sort of new technology. It merely requires the will and ability needed to slow the destruction of precious rainforests and to instead encourage the planting of new trees and forests. Governments and individuals need to take the initiative and plant trees in order to protect our environment and ourselves.
Planting trees is not the only way to protect our environment, but it is very significant, effective and relatively easy. Join with Starry Night Lights to protect the environment by saving energy and protecting the night sky. Become a tree hugger- save Mother Nature!
The issues of global warming and climate change have affected us on many levels, even politically. It has become important for our world leaders to show us how they plan on dealing with the many issues that plague our environment. Our world leaders took the first big stance against global warming with the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol has served as an exemplary example of a failing system for dealing with global warming, but it has also served as an ideal form of a global response to this international dilemma.
As the future presidential election continues, all the future candidates have made it clear that they will take measures to ‘improve the environment’. But environmentalists have asked, what are these measures? Are they going to produce the same results that the Kyoto Protocol has produced?
The US has been one of the most difficult nations to find and implement new energy sources. This is because Americans are extremely attached to both their cars and the currently available energy sources. This fact became extremely evident, with the US response to the Kyoto Protocol.
Kyoto Protocol took place after a United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This summit was called in order to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The agreement made during this summit, was ratified by more than 186 countries though in all reality it did little to actually solve greenhouse gas emissions. This treaty was followed by the Kyoto Protocol, which has not been ratified by any nation that is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, including the US. In addition, the targets of the protocol have been greatly weakened by following negotiations, thus is could take up to ten years for the protocol to actually make effective climate changes.
In any case, it is clear that the US and other major nations need to stand up and come together to find an international solution to this problem. We as Americans and people of this Earth need to seriously consider the problem of global warming during the up coming election. Join Starry Night Lights and take part in the fight against global warming.
When we hear about global warming and its consequences, we often hear people speaking of: climate changes, the depletion of the ozone, the melting of artic ice and so forth. But what does this really mean? How do climate changes, for example, truly effect us? In many cases, it has been easy for us to ignore global warming and its effects, but things are changing. Even President Bush who is certainly not renown for his environmental consciousness, has been forced to deal with the consequences of global warming.
Recently, the Bush administration has added the polar bear to the threatened species list, finally acknowledging the fact that the melting of artic ice has greatly threatened the survival of polar bears. This decision was praised by environmentalists, though it was opposed by conservatives who felt that the new restrictions on drilling for oil and gas in the artic, which were mostly likely to accompany this decision, were going to have ill effects on the economy of the U.S. Considering the global situation, with regard to access of oil and gas, their fears are not unfounded. Though the more important decision would be to find alternative sources for energy, instead of gas and oil, which would both free the U.S. from a lot of obligations and more importantly, protect the environment.
In addition to this announcement, the Bush administration has also taken steps to lessen the decisions impact on drilling activities in Alaska. This outraged many environmentalists who felt that this would compromise the protection of these precious animals. The Bush administration responded by saying that any activity which is not restricted by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other federal laws involving the bears and oil companies, will also not be restricted in the Endangered Species Act. Though officials have also agreed to list a few new additional restrictions on oil and gas drilling in Alaska.
There have been debates on both sides of the agrument. The envrionmental side, feels that this decision will effect more than just the bears, because of the restrictions it should bring. They feel that many other states will have to change their activities in accordance with the decision, and that this in turn will decrease factors which increase global warming. The other side, on the other hand, has argued that this decision should not have the power to ‘make or abuse global warming policies’.
It is still hard to tell what the true impacts of this decision will be, but it is clear that it has brought an interesting debate, which involves a great deal more than just the bears.
There are certain products that can be considered to be ‘life savers’ of the night sky. These products serve as excellent ways to light your home, while also protecting the night sky and in turn your wallet as well. It is important to understand how the products you buy to light your home effect the environment and your energy bill. By choosing the best form of lighting to light your home you will be doing the environment and your wallet, a favor. Here are some products which are effective and environmentally friendly:
- Full Cut Off Fixtures: These fixtures serve as excellent light sources, they are designed to contain and direct all light downwards. They are made with a reflector inside the fixture, in order to best control the light output. This design helps ensure that no light shines upward this will in turn lessen glare. In commercial applications, these fixtures are typically seen as high-pressure sodium lights or as metal halide lamps. In residential use, these would typically have incandescent or compact fluorescent lamps… though LED’s are also starting to enter the picture. All but the incandescents would be considered energy efficient.
- Motion Sensor Lights: The beauty of these kinds of lighting fixtures is that they only come on when they are detected and needed, for the remainer of the time they remain off. It is only when the infrared sensor senses the motion of people or other large objects, when it will come on. They will come on for a few minutes and when motion is no longer detected, they will go turn off. They are benefical because they do not waste light or energy, and they also warn of potential danger when it is approaching your home.
- Timer Controlled Lighting: These kinds of fixtures are similar to Motion Sensor Lights, they are another way to conserve energy and light. In many cases outdoor lighting is only needed for certain periods of time, in these cases Timer Controlled Lighting can truly save a great deal of money. This form of lighting would be ideal for parking lots, certain advertising lighting, decorative lighting and so forth, after all these lighting needs are typically for only designated periods of time.
- Glare Free Lighting: Choosing lighting without glare is very important. Glare will never help in clarity and visibility.
- Energy Efficient Lamps: These fixtures are of course most useful because they help save energy, by replacing inefficient energy lamps with better energy efficient lamps one is both, saving money and helping the environment. It would be a wise decision to only use energy efficient lamps when lighting ones home.
Choosing the lighting systems and products of your home, is a tough decision. However by picking energy efficient environmentally friendly lighting you can flip on the lights with a clear conscience. There are a lot of different options to choose from, in addition there are many styles and patterns to pick from as well. Thus, one can choose environmentally safe lighting while not having to sacrifice on style or design.
For more energy efficient environmentally friendly lighting check out the lighting produces found on Starry Night Light’s online store.
Recent scientific discoveries have revealed the true fragile state of our world and its environment. Unfortunately this knowledge did not have much effect on the human populace until very recently, when famous individuals like Al Gore brought brutal facts to the public’s attention. His facts and the facts of many others revealed that the mistakes made by the earth’s population were taking a devastating toll on the earth and our environment.
As a result, many companies have pledged to become more environmentally friendly, an action which has come to be known as ‘going green’. One such company is Energy Star, which is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help “us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices”. Energy Star has proven to be very effective in its endeavor. In 2007, it was able to reduce a great percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, an amount which would have resulted from 27 million cars, just by the amount of energy it saved. In addition this ’save’ also resulted in a financial save of about 16 billion on utilities.
Energy Star products can save a family a great deal of money on their energy bill, while also saving the environment from increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions. This does not mean that families will have to sacrifice on style or features, but they are able to save a lot of energy with these newer Energy Star approved models. By buying products with the Energy Star label, one will be guaranteed energy effecient products as well as a ‘fatter’ wallet.
Though it may seem like a shocking idea, high fuel prices may actually have some benefits for our society as a whole. This is because high gasoline prices have turned many individuals off of SUVs and other cars that require a lot of gas. Also, in many cases individuals are also choosing to ride public transportation, which in the long run would also decrease carbon emissions. In addition, high gas prices have also lead individuals to cut down the amount that they drive. All together, less SUVs on the road, more gas efficient cars and less driving, can really reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions and in turn reduce global warming.
The record high gas prices in the US, have increased more than 20% since January and by the end of April the average gas price was around $3.65. Until recently, however the high prices did not seem to have much of an effect on the American populace, this could be the result of the fact that gas consumption has been increasing every year since 1991.
It is important to note that studies have been made which show that on 1.4 million car purchases made over the last 10 years, the least fuel efficient cars, including SUVs, trucks and so forth, fell by about 13% for every $1 per gallon increase. While at the same time every $1 increase has led to a 17% increase in the amount of gas efficient vehicles being bought, these efficient cars include compact cars and hybrids. The studies have also said that these buying habits could in fact cut the amount of gasoline used by about 7% for every $1 increase.
It is clear that people are noticing the soaring gas prices and are taking actions that will help their wallet. Non fuel efficient cars are losing their appeal, while fuel efficient cars have grown increasingly popular. High gas prices are certainly taking their toll, but not all is lost and not all is bad. The high prices have lead many individuals to take stronger precautions about how much gas they are consuming and though their wallet may be the reason they cut down gas comsumption, this decrease will have a very positive impact for our environment.
Starry Night Lights is pleased to announce the addition of ALLScape Lighting to our lineup of environmentally friendly commercial lighting solutions. ALLScape brings some great designs and a high quality manufacturing process to the table. ALLScape Lights use state of the art photometric efficiency to put the light where you need it with little or no spill into areas that should not be illuminated. Add in high efficiency and long life operations and you have a recipe for significantly reduced cost of ownership.
Checkout the BL-80, pictured above. This full cutoff building mounted wall pack aims 100% of the light it produces down onto the ground where its needed… with no light escaping wastefully up into the night sky. This precision allows for the use of lower wattages than many of the trashy wall packs you run into regularly. The BL-80 is also available in a range of lamping options including compact fluorescent, metal halide and low pressure sodium to meet virtually any requirements.
The same goes for the AL-06. Precision engineering combines with state of the art photometrics to produce an area light that just can’t be beat. No more flooding the adjoining neighborhood with unwanted light at night. The AL-06 is neighbor friendly and provides excellent nighttime visibility while dramatically reducing light pollution. Put simply, reduced light pollution = reduced energy bills = reduced global warming emissions. How can you go wrong with that equation? The AL-06 makes a great parking lot light. Its modern design and high efficiency lamp options offer lighting engineers the tools they need to do the job right.
Here’s another common light, the step light. These are typically installed inside the concrete risers of steps and walkways. These are ideal for this use. Their (typically) low lighting levels and low mounting height put light where its needed… and no where else. This reduces the amount of energy consumed… provides enhanced night time visibility…
Many producers have led us to believe that the resources we depend on for our energy needs are in abundance and that once an area is depleted of its resources we can simply find more in a new area. This “fact” however, is extremely misleading. The amount of these resources available is declining and finding new resources is becoming increasingly difficult. Any new locations where these resources are found are areas that are considered to be environmentally sensitive. These areas include; deep ocean, under national parks, polar regions, offshore and other sensitive areas. These producers are deliberately misleading us so that they can continue to charge excessive amounts of money and lead us to think that these resources will remain abundant forever.
These fossil-fuel moguls seek to overstate fossil-fuel reserves. As a result of their disinformation campaign, the efforts that are gravely needed to develop alternative energy sources have not been given enough priority. This limited supply will make prices higher, especially as the amount of resources lessen. This will allow the fossil-fuel moguls to make even more money with the lessening resources.
Even the quotas describing the amount of natural resources, like coal and oil, which can be found in the US are actually based on estimates made decades ago. Thus, we do not really know the exact amount of fossil-fuels that exist today. But what we do know is that even if we do tap reserves in national parks, and under the ocean, eventually all these resources will run out. It is only a matter of time.
If steps are not made to stop our dependency on these fossil-fuels, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to be high and the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere will continue rise, making it impossible to live on this Earth with the conditions we have grown accustomed to. If we want to continue to live comfortably in this world, we must find other sources of energy that will not negatively affect our environment.
We at Starry Night Lights are strong supporters of environmentally friendly energy sources and appliances. We have made it our goal to help reduce global warming, by providing lights that are energy efficient and suggesting that these be used with efficiency in mind. Checkout our outdoor lighting guidelines to see how you can save money, energy and the environment.
For more information on this topic go to : http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10657
Today President Bush announced a new national goal to reduce the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. According to whitehouse.gov, “If we fully implement our strong new laws, adhere to the principles the President outlined, and adopt appropriate incentives, we will put the United States on an ambitious new track for greenhouse gas reductions. The growth in emissions will slow over the next decade, stop by 2025, and begin to reverse thereafter, so long as technology continues to advance”. Bush’s statement has received a lot of rebuke from environmental activists, who feel that this statement is coming too late and that it will not do any real good. According to Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen, Bush’s annoucement is merely “an empty, face-saving gesture”, that he made merely because of pressure and humiliation.
Noppen, believes that Bush’s statement was made too late and that it is the consequences of not facing this problem, which has forced him to face it now. This does not mean that America’s governors and other world leaders have followed Bush’s way of dealing with this problem. In fact, most of them have abandoned Bush’s policy and have struck out on their own to deal with this growing concern.
Bush’s decision comes at a time when the Major Economies Meeting will take place in Paris, this meeting will lay the groundwork for the world leaders’ climate meeting which will take place sometime in July. Also, congress is scheduled to have a meeting on legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in the next week. When taking these two factors into consideration, it is possible that Noppen’s statement is correct. Perhaps, President Bush is only discussing this issue now, because of these two important meetings which are going to take place soon. These two meeting and Earth Day which will take place in less than a week, has placed some pressure on President Bush to make a statement, which could demonstrate his ‘concern’ for our environment.
It is wise to be aware of how our leaders are taking steps to help our environment. Many leaders have not made strong efforts to help us create a safe and environmentally friendly Earth, these are important issues and we should all take these factors into consideration, for the Presidental Election of 2008.
