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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Wasted Emissions
Wasted Emissions
Light pollution is a massive waste of energy and producer of greenhouse emissions which threatens the health and lives of humans as well as wildlife in a variety of ways. Ending light pollution could help us reduce our energy consumption and emissions to a more sustainable level without negatively impacting anyone.
Biological Disruption
Biological Disruption
In addition the changing the mating, feeding and other behaviors of wildlife, if causes hormonal changes in humans and our wild relatives. These changes lead to higher rates of cancer, obesity, and conditions such as diabetes.
Blinded By The Light
Blinded By The Light
As many drivers have noticed, light glare and brightness is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem, obscuring pedestrians, cyclists, and wild animals, sometime right until the moment of impact. Bright lights can literally blind a driver and others on or near roadways, causing them to be unable to see until the afterimages have faded away.
Confused & Lost Wildlife
Confused & Lost Wildlife
Migratory species including endangered sea turtle babies and migratory birds are increasingly becoming disoriented by the bright lights humanity produces, which are now outshining the stars which once helped guides their journeys. Baby turtles often go inland and get run over by traffic instead of going out to sea when they hatch. Birds get confused by city lights and flood lights, sometimes crashing into buildings, sometimes by the hundreds or thousands where they litter the streets with their bodies.
Blind to Meteors: We Won't See Them Coming!
Blind to Meteors: We Won't See Them Coming!
Scientists at NASA and other astronomy organizations warn that with the increasing glare from the ground, we are running out of places where the stars can be clearly seen at night. Not only does this reduce their ability to study out galaxy and different astral bodies, but it means anything coming towards us is increasingly likely to not be seen until it's already dangerously close.
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Click the Light Pollution button to learn more about the impacts of light pollution, particularly on humans and society. We've written about some common sources of light pollution, and alternatives.
Fireworks
Fireworks
These may only be a seasonal source of light pollution, but they also create serious air and water pollution with the chemicals used, start dangerous fires, explode plastic particles everywhere, and cause noise pollution which can not only startle humans and animals, but actually scare animals to death. Small animals like birds can die from heart attacks or fly away from their nests, leaving their offspring to starve or freeze. Larger animals including dogs and horses have run themselves into barbed wire fences, needing serious surgeries to recover, or end up being put down due to the severity of their injuries.
Darkness
Darkness
Click our Darkness button to learn more about the importance of darkness for wildlife, which species are most effected, and how to help protect our wild neighbors.
Dark Sky Programs & Solutions
Dark Sky Programs & Solutions
Ordinances & Policies
Ordinances & Policies
Model Lighting Orginance (MLO) with User's Guide (PDF) "This MLO will allow communities to drastically reduce light pollution and glare and lower excessive light levels. The recommended practices of the IES can be met using readily available, reasonably priced lighting equipment. However, many conventional lighting practices will no longer be permitted, or will require special permits.
This Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) is the result of extensive efforts by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES). Among its features is the use of lighting zones (LZ0-4) which allow each governing body to vary the stringency of lighting restrictions according to the sensitivity of the area as well as accommodating community intent. In this way, communities can fine-tune the impact of the MLO without having to customize the MLO. The MLO also incorporates the Backlight-UplightGlare (BUG) rating system for luminaires, which provides more effective control of unwanted light."DarkSky: Guides and How-Tos: Lighting Ordinances "Many people who become concerned about light pollution want to know what they can do to make a difference in their community. Beyond fixing your own lighting, you can work to get an outdoor lighting ordinance adopted in your community.
Outdoor lighting ordinances or codes are great for ensuring that municipalities implement good, safe outdoor lighting. A well-written ordinance, with proper lighting installed, will save the public money and increase safety. Thousands of cities have adopted such codes, and they can be an excellent tool for a community to control light pollution, including glare, light trespass, and sky glow."
Regional Policies
Regional Policies
Nightlight Project (PDF) "Improving regional policies to reduce light pollution and protect and valorisedark night skies" This document offers a peek into how to coordinate international or national light-pollution programs by working with different groups of people
Policy Evaluation
Policy Evaluation
Evaluation is a critical part of any plan, to ensure the process is working, and if not, to find new, more efficient methods or policies moving forward.
City of San Antonio: Dark Sky Policy Evaluation This page offers a blue print for people and groups who are unsure of how to conduct a policy evaluation.
Monitoring & Mapping
Monitoring & Mapping
One of the best ways to get a handle on light pollution is to start measuring it, and to take periodic measurements to see if the problem is getting better or works. Before and after photos from the ground, planes or satellite can help provide us with critical information that helps us determine if the actions being taken are effective, or if more drastic measures are needed.
International
International
Globe At Night "is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure & submit their night sky brightness observations."
North America
North America
Oregon Skyglow Measurement Network "DarkSky Oregon has established a network of continuously recording Sky Quality Meters (SQMs) in Oregon to measure skyglow. Skyglow is literally the glowing sky at night, due to both man-made artificial light and natural light. SQMs measure the brightness of the night sky and provide a measure of both light pollution and natural light at night.
The project’s primary aim is to quantitatively measure, interpret, and share skyglow measurements in Oregon to better understand the current level of light pollution in comparison to other regions and to document any changes over a five-year period. The skyglow data will help to inform action toward healthier and safer communities with less light pollution. The data will also support local efforts to nominate sites under DarkSky International’s Dark Sky Place Program."
Certification
Certification
Certifying dark places not only incentivizes parks and communities to dim, turn off, or face their lights downward. It also provides star gazers and other people on where they can go to see our rapidly disappearing, awe-inspiring night sky.
Scroll down the the Apply For Certification section to find out what certification programs might be in your area.
The programs listed in this section can help you find certified dark places.
International
International
The International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program "certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education."
Europe
Europe
Italy / Italia
Astronomitaly "ha ideato la Certificazione “I cieli più belli d’Italia” che identifica i luoghi più belli dove osservare le stelle in Italia.
Questo riconoscimento viene assegnato alle location che godono di un cielo stellato di qualità o che, in un percorso di qualificazione e miglioramento, desiderano valorizzarlo offrendo esperienze e servizi dedicati all’Astroturismo."
UK
Cranborne Chase: Dark Sky Friendly Scheme "is a three-tier award that is available to businesses, organisations, communities and individuals, serving or residing in the Cranborne Chase AONB International Dark Sky Reserve, who value our Dark Night Skies (DNS) environment, who act to preserve or enhance it, and who may encourage others to do so as well, in accordance with the Dark Night Sky Charter."
North America
North America
Canada
How to Become a Designated Dark-Sky Site "The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Dark-Sky Site program recognizes public and private spaces that are contributing to the reduction of light pollution, educating the public about dark skies, and liaising with municipalities to improve lighting legislation. If you are interested in actively contributing to the preservation of dark skies in Canada, or if you already do so, consider becoming a designated Dark-Sky Site!"
USA
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
Lighting Guidance
Lighting Guidance
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in English
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in English
Dark Skies of the North Wessex Downs: A Guide to Good External Lighting (PDF) "This guide provides good practice on external lighting, primarily on buildings, but also mentions internal lighting and street lighting. Anyone considering external lighting in and around the North Wessex Downs AONB can use it to play their part in minimising light pollution and preserving beautiful dark skies."
Good Lighting Advice this page gives guidance including a diagram, terms used in describing good lighting and waste light not directed to the area to be lit, photos of good vs bad lights and their angles, plus more links for people trying to combat light pollution.
Protecting the Night: Dark Skies and Artificial Light in the City (PDF) "Buying exterior lighting can be difficult, particularly as we tend to do it in daylight so cannot see the impact it would have in the dark. This lighting guide has been put together, with the aim of helping residents make informed, environmentally-sensitive choices that will contribute to protecting the environment and our health. It has been developed with the help of the Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS)"
Towards A Dark Sky Standard (PDF) "This document provides advice for both domestic and non-domestic lighting. Anyone who designs, installs or manufactures lighting should find this useful.
Domestic users need only basic advice based on easy principles.
Non-domestic users may need more detailed and professional advice on design and installation."
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in German/Deutsch
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in German/Deutsch
Empfehlungen zur Reduzierung von Lichtsmog (PDF)"Eine Stellungnahme der Fachgruppe DARK SKY der Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V.
Ein durch künstliches Licht aufgehellter Himmel verschleiert die Himmelsobjekte. Schwächere Sterne, die Milchstraße oder das Zodiakallicht sind nicht mehr zu sehen. Die Aufhellung des Himmels wird verursacht durch die Streuung des horizontal und nach oben gelenkten Lichts in der Atmosphäre. Durch das fehlgelenkte Licht werden nachtaktive Tiere wie Zugvögel oder Insekten stark gestört. Diese vergeudete Lichtmenge stellt zudem eine erhebliche Energieverschwendung dar.
Die Empfehlungen (PDF-Dokument, 1,8MB) der Fachgruppe DARK SKY der Vereinigung der Sternfreunde e.V. sollen Maßnahmen aufzeigen, wie die sogenannte Lichtverschmutzung oder der Lichtsmog reduziert werden kann. Die Empfehlungen beruhen auf wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen."
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in Swedish
Dark-Sky-Friendly Outdoor Lighting Info in Swedish
Vad är ljusföroreningar? "En enkel och informativ guide"
Wildlife & Sky-Friendly Products
Wildlife & Sky-Friendly Products
Existing Lighting Policies & Ordinances
Existing Lighting Policies & Ordinances
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
The UK Highways Agency now installing only efficient lighting on our main roads
Many UK councils are beginning to employ efficient street-lighting
Apply For Certification
Apply For Certification
International
International
DarkSky Approved Program 💡 🏭 🛠️ "is open to manufacturers whose light fixtures meet our rigorous criteria." Includes certification for products including outdoor lighting, wildlife-friendly lighting, and turtle-friendly lighting, as well as retrofits, and E-Ink outdoor signs.
Apply for Dark Sky Place Certification 🌆 🏖️ ⛰️"The main hub for what you need to know about applying for International Dark Sky Place certification."
Europe
Europe
Italy / Italia
Italy / Italia
Astronomitaly: Certificazione "Scopri come ottenere la Certificazione "I cieli più belli d'Italia"" "Find out how to obtain the "The most beautiful skies in Italy" certification"
UK
UK
Cranborne Chase: Dark Sky Friendly Scheme "is a three-tier award that is available to businesses, organisations, communities and individuals, serving or residing in the Cranborne Chase AONB International Dark Sky Reserve, who value our Dark Night Skies (DNS) environment, who act to preserve or enhance it, and who may encourage others to do so as well, in accordance with the Dark Night Sky Charter."
North America
North America
Canada
Canada
How to Become a Designated Dark-Sky Site "The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Dark-Sky Site program recognizes public and private spaces that are contributing to the reduction of light pollution, educating the public about dark skies, and liaising with municipalities to improve lighting legislation. If you are interested in actively contributing to the preservation of dark skies in Canada, or if you already do so, consider becoming a designated Dark-Sky Site!"
USA
USA
Oregon
Texas
Texan by Nature Certification (PDF) for industry recognition of Dark Skies-Friendly lighting efforts.
Organizations & Initiatives
Organizations & Initiatives
Around the world lights out programs and light ordinances are building up steam and acceptance.
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