Light Pollution (If you think it's a joke, think again. The movement seeks to change laws)

Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS.org) ^ | 8-5-06 | J. Appleton

[sully777]

Noting this solution to "the problem" is the following appeal: "Make light pollution a statutory nuisance and make lighting a planning issue." This appeal includes turning off commercial lighting after 11PM

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Is this a picture of light pollution or progress? Does artificial light cause harm to plants and animals?

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Extra source information: http://www.britastro.org/dark-skies/index.html

The International Dark Skies (IDS) organisation - based in the US - works on a global basis for the reduction of light pollution. A number of people in the legal field have recognised the need to include light pollution as a statutory nuisance.

If dealing with local media insist on some editorial control so as to avoid headlines such as Star-gazers...

[rovenstinez]

Bring on dark nights. Just think how much energy would be saved? Maybe we would get more people shopping at day time and staying home in the evenings with momma and the kids.

[kcmt01]

Worst of all, it interferes with the financial planning of drug dealers, rapists, muggers, etc. who depend on darkness to carry out their trade. Shameful, and shocking. We must tax the rich to make up for their loss of income and recreation opportunities.

[NZerFromHK]

It may cause harm for astronomers since streetlightings etc make it harder to observe outer space using Earth-based telescopes.

[sully777]

I know this is a long read, but I recall hearing this nonsense in the NJ public school system during the 1970s to the 1980s. It was taught as fact, and was a definite slam against capitalism.

Well, the movement is growing and gaining a foothold into international government agencies, seeking to curtail light use after 11PM and changing residential, commercial, and government development rules.

[6SJ7]

I suggest the writer move to N. Korea. Nice and dark there at night. Light is a sign of a technologically advanced civilization.

[sully777]

BINGO...our first Neo-Luddite

[sully777]

It may cause harm for astronomers...

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Harm? Such as physical harm?

[Calpernia]

http://www.darksky.org/about/funding
International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
Established in 1988 to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting.

*see above link for info on:

- Tax-exempt status

- Federal tax returns

- Membership dues

- Donations

- Grants
----Pauley Foundation Grant
----National Science Foundation Grant
----Southwest Parks and Monuments Association Grant

[Calpernia]

Ban the Bulb!

[Dark Skies]

Campaign for Dark Skies

Just send your campaign contributions to me at Free Republic.

[Calpernia]

I will bump that. I heard this in NJ schools too.

[NZerFromHK]

Well, it is a harm from their perspective. I'm just reporting their perspective. And it's true that extensive night lighting makes their job more difficult.

[ClaireSolt]

I love seeing the sky when on vacation. They asked a famous scholar what he had learned in his lifetime. He replied, "On a clear night, you can see the stars in New York city."

[fightnight]

I love looking at the stars, but with the local light pollution I see just a few..

Bring on dark nights!!!

[redpoll]

I live up there in that huge dark area northwest of Anchorage. It's actually very pleasant to live in a place where you can see the stars at night (which should be starting in the next month or so... LOL).

Having said that, again, the activists are showing off their leftist pretense. Much of this article was a cry for large groups - government, planners, schools - to force change on people. Real change occurs when people as individuals choose to change. I make sure that my lights don't illuminate the neighborhood because it's aesthetically unappealing. if I wanted light at night, I can see easily that there's plenty of places to choose from. Forcing people to change their lives to fit some government fiat is the definition of tyranny... in which case, I'd probably change my 40-watt bulbs for 150-watt monsters, just to demonstrate my pissed mood.

[BipolarBob]

Everyone in favor of government telling us where to put our home lighting raise their hands.

[sully777]

Courtesy ping

[GATOR NAVY]

I've spent much time at sea and seen what the night sky can really look like away from light pollution, and it's a beautiful thing. On a truly dark night, you don't need a telescope. You can find all kinds of objects with just a pair of 7x50 binoculars.

Having said that, I don't buy viewing the stars as the major reason to reduce light pollution. I'd much rather see it pushed as a practical energy conservation issue, with the added benefit of seeing more stars.

[biggerten]

I happen to own a couple telescopes.

Let me ask you. Would you welcome all night loud parties next door to your home? No, it would interfere with your right to enjoy your property, and that is a reasonable purpose to have noise regulations.

I don't welcome all night bright lights next door to my property, because it interferes with my right to enjoy my property. No difference.

If you keep your light to yourself, have at it. Just don't shine it in the direction of my telescopes.