Turn off lights not needed - Consider if late night activity is needed. Companies can save money, reduce ecological impact, and improve employee health simply by eliminating unnecessary night shifts.

Use wavelengths that do not affect wildlife or attract insects (yellow)

Keep lights away from wildlife habitat, especially endangered

Extinguish pot and flood-lights

Substitute strobe lighting wherever possible

Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible

Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories

Curtains and blinds can reduce light pollution, while increasing privacy and insulation against hot and cold conditions. These solutions all have the added benefit of reducing deadly bird/window collisions.

Frosted windows can reduce cooling costs inside while helping to reduce light pollution outside. Frosting and decals can reduce deadly bird/window collisions.

Down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and all light directed upward

Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible

Reduce, turn off, eliminate, or use alternatives to decorative/festive lighting - Decorative lighting can be put on timers so that they only function when people are expected to be around to enjoy them. They could also be linked with motion sensors. Timers can reduce their impact, by having the lights only active during times of high traffic, then turning off automatically between 11pm and 6 am when few if any people may be around to enjoy them. Electric festival decorations such as Christmas lights are a very new invention with high environmental cost, and poor recycling infrastructure, (if any in most places) exists to help deal with the waste they produce. Non-electric decorations such as garlands, bunting, or other similar, reusable decorations could replace lights entirely.

Plant Bushes near light sources - these as well as carefully placed trees and vines can help reduce light pollution, noise pollution, increase habitat space, and encourage privacy. Some species can even provide food, medicine, and species with thorns or prickly leaves can provide extra security.

Turn lights away from aquatic habitats - lights from docks and communities can trick baby turtles and other endangered species into dangerous areas.

Go to sleep when it's dark - by doing this, we not only protect our own health, but reduce our own needed for light use, both saving resources, and making us better neighbors.

Reduce brightness of vehicle lights/don't buy vehicles with blindingly bright headlights - not only do these endanger other road users who become temporarily blinded by these lights while driving. Bright headlights increase the chance of animal collisions since nocturnal animals become suddenly blinded and disoriented, hence the phrase "dear in headlights".

Re-lamping communities to change roadway and walkway lamps to lower energy LEDs and to redirect the light beams only where needed can have a number of benefits:

• Reduce CO2 emissions

• Reduce waste: Communities will throw away less bulbs since LEDs last longer

• Eliminate mercury: Use of LEDs will eliminate any mercury entering the environment from streetlights

When converting to new lighting assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology. Remember that "More does not always mean better!"

Stadiums and other buildings/organizations that use flood lights, or shoot lasers into the sky can disorient migratory birds, causing them to have serious accidents or get lost. They also cause enough pollution so that surrounding communities are unable to enjoy basic natural resources like darkness (which helps us get enough sleep). Light pollution also costs us the ability to see stars, an important part of our heritage.

Since other people's lighting isn't generally something we can control, consider joining the Lights Out initiatives that are becoming more popular as awareness about this problem grows. If there are none in your area, please consider starting one. Every voice can help make a difference! - https://www.audubon.org/lights-out-program

Remember that if you reach out to neighbors, local businesses, schools, and politicians that a polite tone and sticking with facts can go a long way in creating healthy, respectful relationships that will further help promote collaboration. It can be helpful to brush up on our communication techniques. One such technique can be to point out the improved energy/money savings, improved security provided by the addition of technology such as non-blinding lights and motion sensors. People are also more likely to feel invested in eco-friendly changes when they understand that it is part of a group effort.

"April 12, 2021 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner has proclaimed April 19 - May 7, 2021 “Lights Out Nights” in Houston, encouraging all businesses, residents, and building managers to turn off non-essential exterior lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the period of peak migration for birds through Texas."

"An estimated two billion birds migrate through the state of Texas each year, around one quarter to one-third of all birds migrating throughout the United States. Most North American migratory birds travel at night, and lights on buildings can attract and disorient these birds, resulting in fatal collisions with buildings."

"Houston and the Upper Texas Coast play a key role on the Central Flyway, an important migratory path for birds. Birds that move along and across the Gulf of Mexico depend on safe passage through the Houston-Galveston area. In a 2019 study, though, Houston was found to be the second most dangerous city in the country for migrating birds in terms of exposure to light pollution due to the intersection of its high light output and the vast numbers of migratory birds that pass over the city."

The Mayor's Office Press Release also made sure to mention the organizations including people like you who helped bring this program into action:

"The Lights Out Texas initiative is possible thanks to a partnership led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Houston Audubon, Texas Conservation Alliance, Dallas Zoo, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Texan by Nature, and many others."

The Dallas Zoo has two wildlife programs. One in which they "partner with conservation organizations around the world, to directly support efforts to save animals and ecosystems from extinction." The other, they offer conservation expeditions ranging from saving sea turtles and restoring sea turtle habitat on South Padre Island in South Padre, to saving bats in Bracken Cave.

Thanks to the Earth Hour campaign's 13th edition had "The Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge... plunged into darkness for an hour Saturday to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on the planet's vanishing biodiversity." The same article notes that "Paris's Eiffel Tower, New York's Empire State Building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa and the Acropolis in Athens are among the 24 global landmarks that will take part in Earth Hour."

• Make friends, not enemies. Your neighbors probably don’t even realize their lighting is bothersome.

• Stay positive and don’t argue. Be tactful and understanding about your neighbor’s right to light their property.

• Suggest alternatives to their current fixture. Ask them to move the light, shield it, or add a motion sensor so it’s activated only when needed. Offer to help get this done.

• Be informative. Talking to your neighbor is an great opportunity to be an advocate for good lighting. There are many reasons to use dark sky friendly lighting. Read up on the issues regarding light pollution. IDA also has a number of educational resources that can be useful.

• It’s useful to know the local costs of electricity (cents per KWH) and the local lighting control ordinances. This information is available on most city websites, from your regional utility company and on your utility bill. IDA also has this useful guide to help you find out if there is a lighting ordinance in your town.

• You may also want to compile a list of local businesses or homes in the neighborhood with good quality lighting as an example of effective security measures that are dark sky friendly.

• Having a list of shielded light fixtures to provide as alternatives to your neighbor’s current lighting is also recommended. Use our Fixture Seal of Approval database to find dark sky friendly fixtures and devices.

• Don’t dismiss their need to feel safe. Remember that home is a place where everyone wants to feel relaxed and safe.

• Explain that light trespass is a form of light pollution, but we strongly advise that you don’t threaten legal action. The idea of a lawsuit can create bad feelings among the whole neighborhood.

• Remember that everyone wants the same thing: a chance to relax in his or her own environment. Work together to create an atmosphere that benefits the community

• Write a letter. You may find it useful to put your thoughts on paper. We have provided a Sample Letter to Your Neighbor to get you started.