When is International Dark Sky Week in 2025?
International Dark Sky Week 2025 will take place from April 2–8 cnn.com
Turn off the lights: Dark-sky movement pushes for reduction in light pollution www.nvdaily.com/...
This is a NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope image of NGC 346, a massive star cluster in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that is one of the Milky Way’s nearest neighbors. With its relative lack of elements heavier than helium and hydrogen, the NGC 346 cluster serves as a nearby proxy for studying stellar environments with similar conditions in the early, distant Universe. Ten, small, yellow circles overlaid on the image indicate the positions of the ten stars surveyed in this study.
dk images library
Chile’s perfect skies for stargazing under threat from giant chemical plant
Astronomers deeply concerned that darkest, clearest skies in world will be compromised by proposed facility nearby
John Bartlett in Santiago
On Change.org, petitions related to streetlights, LED lights, and light pollution often address concerns about the environmental and health impacts of excessive or poorly managed artificial lighting, advocating for solutions like dimming, shielding, and using warmer-toned LED lights.
Here's a breakdown of the issues and related petitions on Change.org:
1. Concerns about Light Pollution and LED Streetlights:
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Energy Efficiency vs. Light Pollution:
While LEDs are energy-efficient, their widespread adoption can lead to more lighting, potentially exacerbating light pollution if not managed properly.
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Blue-Rich Light:
Some LED streetlights emit a blue-rich light, which can disrupt natural ecosystems, impact wildlife, and potentially affect human health by suppressing melatonin production and disrupting sleep patterns.
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Discomfort and Safety:
Intense, blue-rich LED lighting can cause discomfort, reduce visual acuity, and create road hazards.
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Impact on Wildlife:
Excessive light pollution can disorient and disrupt the behavior of various animals, including birds, insects, and turtles.
2. Petitions on Change.org:
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Advocating for Dark Sky Ordinances:
Some petitions call for municipalities to implement dark sky ordinances to reduce light pollution levels and preserve natural darkness.
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Replacing Harsh White Lights:
Other petitions advocate for replacing harsh white LED streetlights with warmer, less harmful alternatives, such as yellow or orange lights.
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Shielding or Dimming Streetlights:
Some petitions focus on installing shields or dimming streetlights to reduce glare and light trespass.
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Promoting Sustainable Lighting Practices:
Many petitions raise awareness about the negative effects of light pollution and advocate for responsible lighting practices.
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Specific Petitions:
- "Stop harsh white LED street lights and bring back warm coloured street lights".
- "Replace White Street Lights with Red or orange or yellow to Reduce Light Pollution".
- "Ban Blinding Headlights and Save Lives!".
- "Neighborhood Light Pollution: Dim or Shield LED Streetlights".
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Sign Petitions:
Support petitions on Change.org that address light pollution and LED streetlights.
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Raise Awareness:
Share information about the negative impacts of light pollution and the importance of responsible lighting practices with your community.
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Contact Local Officials:
Urge your local representatives to consider implementing dark sky ordinances and promoting sustainable lighting solutions.
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Support Sustainable Lighting Practices:
Encourage the use of LED lights that are properly shielded and dimmable, and that emit warmer-toned light.
More Links:
Nasa
Earth Matters with Meteor Blades
dailykos.com
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Thanks for reading Climate Brief
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Turn off the lights!
