Image Credit: http://www.muiniskw.org/pgHistory3.htm
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Kejimkujik national park lies in Nova Scotia, Canada. The 363-square-kilometre park boasts some of the darkest skies in southern Canada, far away from surrounding urban light pollution. Naturally, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the park rangers have agreed to make Kejimkujik national park an official ‘dark sky preserve.’ So far, both interested parties have started to make the necessary steps to become recognized as a ‘dark sky preserve.’ For instance, the Royal Astronomical Society has admonished the forest rangers to upgrade their lighting fixtures and shield them. One particular point that will help the park achieve ‘dark sky preserve’ status lies in its accessibility to the public. The park itself is open year-round and is near Highway 8. Both parties look forward to each others cooperation and bolstering appreciation for the naked night sky. A three year plan draft to achieve such a status is in the works for the national park and both parties are eager to add Kejimkujik national park as the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s future 7th ‘dark sky preserve.’

Starling © Major Gilbert, from the surfbirds galleries
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The British Trust for Ornithology’s Garden Ecology Team have just published results comparing the eating habits of urban birds to rural birds. Their study concluded that urban birds are lazier than rural birds. Researchers found urban birds to arrive later than their rural counterparts at bird feeding tables. Researchers believe temperature is one main culprits, suggesting that buildings and factories warm up surrounding urban areas i.e. ‘heat pollution.’ For clarity, ‘Laziness’ is defined by the BTO as feeding abnormally after dawn.

But is ‘heat’ the only culprit? Researchers also took into account the amount of light pollution a city produced.

“Why should urban populations of a particular species arrive later after dawn than their rural counterparts? Interestingly, there are a number of factors which may operate differently between the two habitats. Urban areas are well known for the degree of light pollution associated with them, in the form of street and security lighting. If this light pollution was influencing the urban populations then you would expect to see earlier emergence in urban areas rather than later emergence. Another factor operating in urban areas is heat pollution, with waste heat escaping from factories, residential properties and other buildings. This waste heat can increase the temperature in urban areas by as much as 8°C, particularly in our larger cities, creating what is known as an ‘urban heat island effect’. With higher overnight temperatures in urban areas, it seems likely that small birds roosting in these areas would need to use a smaller amount of their fat reserves than would be the case for birds roosting within the wider countryside. With fewer reserves lost overnight, urban populations could afford to be more leisurely come the morning, the need to replenish reserves less urgent than for birds that had spent a colder night elsewhere.”

Whilst it’s quite fascinating to see the behaviour of birds adapting to our urban areas, the question of whether their adaptation as a positive or detrimental change remains yet to be seen.

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Yesterday, Republicans and Democrats within the house of representatives passed a newly drafted bipartisan Climate Bill (a.k.a The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009) 219-212 tackling pollution, global warming and climate change. Surprisingly enough Democratic Representative Jim Matheson of Utah voted “No,” amongst the three other Republican Representatives Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz. Representative Matheson represents one of the only three Democrats who voted “No.” Representative Matheson purports that the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 requires restructuring and would negatively impact Utah.

“We’ve got to address climate change, and we’ve got to address energy independence; I hope we continue to work on those two issues. [Although] there’s a real regional income transfer that’s not fair to some regions of the country and in this case, it’s not fair to Utah.” – Representative Jim Matheson.

As most Utah residents know, Utah still utilizes several coal powered plants. Yes, the coal industry would hurt in Utah but what about the opportunity to create cleaner and more sustainable energy? As a resident in Salt Lake City, I can’t tell you how awful the inversions in the surrounding Utah valleys can truly be year round – it’s quite horrible. Granted, its certainly not just coal plants, for cars contribute to the problem; if more funds were directed toward cleaner energy, overall air and quality of life would improve. Even though the the climate bill passed in the House of Representatives, it still needs to pass through Congress. Perhaps an oversight on Matheson’s part, but bills can be restructured through the different mediums of our governmental system. Nonetheless, the bill was passed without the help of Matheson, Bishop and Chaffetz and hopefully the Senate will deliberate, put aside ideological partisan apprehension and jointly agree upon the importance of our environment.

As a website dedicated to eradicating light pollution once and for all, Starry Night Lights supports The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 bill. Light pollution affects all of us. As further evidence unveils itself regarding the impact of light pollution on creatures (including humans), inform your congressmen of the importance of light pollution. Light pollution is 100% irreversible.

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“The magnitude of the effect was surprising: with the lights on, there was about a quarter to an eighth of the activity – or number of bats flying along the route – compared to when the lights were off.” – Professor Gareth Jones

In a recent scientific study, researchers have discovered artificial light sources may alter a bat’s flight route for food. As nocturnal creatures, bats operate and hunt for food during night time. Biologist Emma Stone traced several flight patterns of nearby bat colonies and installed artificial outdoor light sources along the way. The lights themselves were intended to replicate sodium streelights found within most cities. As the aforementioned quote reveals, researchers found that the bats were sensitive toward the light and opted for less efficient / more dangerous routes. Whilst most bats utilize Echolocation, i.e. biological sonar, as a way of navigating, its directional and limited range hinders its overall effectiveness at detecting predators. Since bats travel in darkness, traveling in light would therefore make them more vulnerable to predatory attacks.

Light pollution not only affects humans but other creatures of the animal kingdom. Let us not become as ‘blind as a bat’ by installing more unshielded, uninformed, and unnecessary outdoor lighting, for Light pollution is 100% solvable.

June 4th, 2009 Special IDA Bulletin
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“The symposium will provide the latest information regarding the known effects of light at night on circadian disruption and cancer, and may offer valuable information to city managers and planning officials who are considering updating their outdoor lighting plans. Please urge your city officials to attend this event or obtain copies of the proceedings.”

The International Dark-sky Association(IDA) proudly supports the New York Academy of Sciences and the Mushett Family Foundation Symposium on June 19th, 2009 regarding Circadian Disruption. Circadian Disruption is a disruption within living entities that operate roughly on a 24 hour biochemical, physiological and behavioral process cycle. In other words, Circadian Disruption is an alteration to the ‘internal human clock.’ With the advent of LED lighting as an alternative to compact fluorescent light bulbs, the Symposium will examine inquires and concerns regarding its fledgling technology. For instance, many LEDs manufactored today exhibit correlated colour temperature (CCT) well over 5500k. Natural Moonlight exhibits 4100k whereas highly pressured sodium lights i.e. common streetlight exhibits 2100k. As to wether LED’s CCT effects living entities, information regarding it remains unknown. Other topics will include the relationship between day and night as well as cancer studies from past and future. Registration begins promptly at 7:30 am and concludes around 7:30 – 8:00 pm.

Every once in a while, a fixture design comes around that is so bad that we feel a special need to call attention to it. So here, for your viewing displeasure is our choice for the worst street light fixture design ever, The Acorn Light.

What makes this fixture so bad? Heck, you probably have seen these things all over the place, right? Well, for starters, the fixture provides absolutely no control over the light it emits. By this, I mean simply that light shines in all directions. Up, sideways and down. Now, since people walk and drive on the ground, down is a good place for a fixture to shine. However, since this fixture is completely made of glass (except for the socket and fixture support on the bottom), more light actually shines up than down. Is this a problem you might be wondering? Well, yes, a critical problem. Since most of the light shines up, this fixture is consuming twice as much energy as a properly designed fixture would need to consume to put the same amount of light on the ground. This uplight directly contributes to light pollution in our communities. Light pollution is that sickly orange glow that we see over our cities and towns. Light pollution is the reason that most Americans (and others throughout the developed world) see only a few stars in the night sky. Light pollution (according to the International Dark Sky Association), wastes over $10 billion annually. Light pollution also harms wildlife and has been linked to some serious human health issues (including breast cancer).
This light also sends a significant portion of the light it produces sideways. Light sent sideways is better known as glare, since it shines into the eyes of drivers and pedestrians. Glare is never good. Glare reduces our ability to see at night (the reason for installing outdoor lights in the first place). Light shining sideways also crosses property lines, shining into windows and making it hard for those living in the area to sleep at night. Light that crosses property lines is referred to as light trespass. Light trespass is being dealt with in more and more lighting ordinances nationwide.

So, as you can see, this street light has it all. Energy waste, light pollution, glare, light trespass, reduced visibility. If one of your elected officials comes up with the bright idea of installing street lights in your neighborhood. Be sure that these ‘decorative’ glare bombs are not chosen. You’ll have to live with their poor performance for many years to come.

If you already have these obnoxious fixtures in your area, fear not. There are some cost effective things that can be done. First up, light shields are available for many of these fixtures. Light shields are typically metal housings that surround the light source on the top and sides, allowing light to escape towards the ground only. You won’t get all the energy efficiency of a properly designed fixture, but at least you’ll get rid of the most environmentally damaging aspects of these fixtures. Checkout the accompanying image. It shows how a ’sag lens’ cobra fixture was made into a full cutoff (downlight only) fixture with the application of one of the available light shields.

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“Sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act” – Dan Rowe, executive director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council.

Each year, between May 1st and October 31st, Florida’s Loggerhead turtle begins its nesting season. As part of Bay County Tourist Development Council’s new $50,000 budget for “eco-tourism” plan, FSU students have stepped up to the challenge of informing the public about sea turtles. Florida State University have begun informing tourists and natives alike about the human impact upon the Loggerhead turtle, such as fledgling turtles facing confusion: being unable to discern between the moon’s light or buildings’ light pollution on where the ocean shore lies. Students have also informed tourists and natives if they encounter turtle tracks, to inform either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or the local authorities.

In late 2008, an ordinance passed which protects sea turtles by managing man-made lighting conditions i.e. light pollution.

“The ordinance requires beachfront properties to reposition or replace exterior light fixtures and lamps visible from the beach with acceptable turtle-friendly lighting; large floodlights must be removed or shielded by May 1st, 2010 as well as other light fixtures must be turtle friendly by May 1st, 2013.”

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“Here, if you see the moon and sun, you are doing OK” – David R. Toeppen

David R. Toeppen, Director of the International Dark-Sky Association, believes most residents within the Mount Prospect area of Illinois share the aforementioned belief that if they can visually see the moon and the sun, that all is well.  Some examples of incidents within Mount Prospect include: “bright streetlights, blazing security bulbs, shopping center spotlights, and even homeowners’ ornamental lights send their beams into the sky.”  Mr. Toeppen’s organization helps facilitate change in understanding light pollution as a growing universal problem. Yet in spite of correlations between light pollution and its detrimental effects on night-time wildlife, nothing happens. Furthermore, correlations between light pollution and its link with breast cancer has done nothing. Hence why Mr. Toeppen has an ace up his sleeve: dimming lights by reducing wattage. Citing a figure from the International Dark-Sky Association, Mr. Toeppen states how unnecessary and wasteful lighting expends our nation $10.4 billion every year. Reduced wattage equates to lower energy bills to consumers. Once one dims the lights via reduction in wattage, one can make the light a full-cutoff light or rather a shielded light. Utilizing both of those practical solutions, people will begin to take notice.

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“We are extremely excited to build one of the world’s largest solar photovoltaic projects once the state legislative and regulatory authorities have taken the actions that would be required for us to move forward; We believe large-scale solar projects like Babcock Ranch can yield significant environmental benefits to the people of Florida, create sustainable job growth and stimulate the local economy.” – Florida Power & Light Company Chief Development Officer Eric Silagy

Outside of Ft. Myers, Florida, the creation of Babcock Ranch will herald a new era of city planning: using solar power exclusively. Estimates on its completion range within 10 to fifteen years. Encompassing 91,000 acres, with 73,000 acres set aside as a nature preserve, Babcock Ranch will also have the world’s largest photovoltic facility. Whilst Babcock Ranch will have a link on the normal Floridian power-grid for emergency purpose, proponents plan on creating excess energy. Each home as well as each business with adhere to strict environmental standards including: “sustainable water management and conservation, street lamps designed to reduce light pollution, electric car chargers, and green roofs to reduce energy loss.” All the while having “parks, trails, shops, restaurants and a state-of-the-art Wellness and Fitness Center within walking distance of downtown, reducing vehicular traffic.”

Babcock Ranch’s main challenge lies with Nature itself, since Babcock Ranch’s location lies 12 miles inland and around 30 feet above sea level in a major hurricane region. In spite of that, Babcock Ranch’s proponents state that with the aid of local palm trees to help reduce wind speed, all buildings within Babcock Ranch will show resistance to winds upwards to 120 mph. Furthermore, financing a $2 billion project within the United States’ economic climate remains a challenge. Fortunately Babcock Ranch has become “an independent special district, giving it a public financing mechanism that offers it more options to fund a $2-billion project.” Whilst all of Babcock Ranch’s entitlements have been cleared and are currently in the permit stage, Babcock Ranch needs to bring in business.

The argument that light pollution has harmfully affected many animal species has recently been taken a step further. Often time only birds and sea turtles are referenced in this debate. However recent research has also shown a correlation between light pollution and declines in amphibian populations.

Among the discoveries which were made, researchers learned that salamanders wait for a particular hour after dusk to emerge from their concealed location to hunt. However, artificial lights cause the salamanders to remain hidden for an extra hour or so. This affects the amount of food which is accessible to the salamanders; by coming out earlier they have access to more food.

Scientists have also discovered that artificial lighting influences the mating call of many species of tree frogs. Male tree frogs stop or lessen their mating call in areas that are highly lit. In addition some studies have produced evidence showing that artificial lighting influences the DNA synthesis of frogs, specifically in the way they produce hormones. This is because lighting plays a strong role in signally the production of specific hormones.

Picture found at- http://www.jennifermarohasy.com/blog/archives/L.infrafrenata.jpg

Current studies are attempting to uncover the connection between light pollution and other animal species. Though the amount of these studies being carried out is still small, they are still very important. Many small carnivore species, all bat species, 80% of marsupials and 20% of primates, are nocturnal. With this in mind, further studies about the impact of light pollution on wildlife are imperative.

Previous studies have already shown that light pollution affects firefly populations. Artificial lighting interferes with the light male fireflies produce to attract their mates. Moths and other insects of the night have shown negative responses to light pollution, with great percentages of these kinds of insects dying yearly.

Picture found at- http://topherlytle.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/fireflies/

The dark night sky is a very special and vital part of our atmosphere and should be cherished. It is an integral part of the habitat of so many creatures and should be thought of in this fashion.

Protect the night sky and the livelihood of the earth’s wildlife; assist in the endeavor to lessen light pollution. Choose outdoor lighting fixtures that are night-sky friendly. Let Starry Night Lights be your guide to a night-sky, wildlife friendly home!