"Around the world, the night sky is vanishing in a fog of artificial light, which a coalition of naturalists, astronomers and medical researchers consider one of the fastest growing forms of pollution, with consequences for wildlife, people's health -- and the human spirit. A natural nightscape has become as rare as an unspoiled wilderness.”
Highlands County view from Google Earth - with Light Pollution Layer
showing current situation. (Wasted light = wasted energy and disruption to
the environment.) Also note some VERY DARK areas. These dark
places NEED TO BE PRESERVED! Many environmentally sensative places are
also WITHIN the badly light polluted areas! 
Here are some links to recent studies and articles that EVERY RESPONSIBLE ADULT should be aware of concerning lighting at night.....
Florida Fish & Wildlife's page on Light Pollution and Wildlife
Ecology of the Night Speaker - Chad Moore, program manager US National Park Service
Ecology of the Night Speaker - Terry Dickinson
Ecology of the Night Speaker - Bryant Buchanan
Study on Green Light for Nocturnally Migrating Birds ; Ecology and Society
Exterior Lighting, Statutory Nuisance and Light Pollution Conference
The Uban Wildlands Group and UCLA Institute of the Enviornment
The Bat Conservation Trust, Threats to Bats
Light Pollution Confusing Wildlife
Flood Light Blindness!!!
Flood Light Positioning Angles - An "Eye-Opening" Demo!
Full Cut-off Fixtures Really Make a Difference!!!
Outdoor Lighting Simulator - Another An "Eye-Opening" Demo!
National Geographic's "Light Pollution Taking Toll on Wildlife
Urban Wildlands Group - Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting: Conference
European Space Organization's blog
on Light Pollution
"For birds, night lighting leads to disorientation, higher
mortality due to collisions with buildings or early breeding."
European Light Pollution Conference
7thEuropean Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky
First Hungarian Light Pollution Conference
International Conference on Light Pollution - Chile
Hayden Planetarium's Neil deGrasse Tyson on Light Pollution - Chile
US News' article "Burning Earth at Both Ends"
US News's article "Shedding Light on a Cause of Breast Cancer"
Starry Nights website's collection of health related issues"
An interactive website where you can see how we compare to other places at night - LIVE.
The Columbia Missourian - "Blinded
by the Light"
A proposed light ordinance has star gazers and those
concerned for safety arguing over the necessity of light and dark in
Columbia
Homer Glen, IL - a small town says NO to light pollution!
Fatal Light Awareness Program - Lights Killing Birds
After midnight when most
people are asleep, many outdoor lights remain on all night. We need to
adopt 'part-night lighting' by switching off our 'non-essential' lights
(midnight - 5am) to save money, reduce light pollution and CO2
emissions. |
|
Sources re carbon emissions per KWH and light output (lumens) per KWH for different types of lights: |
And what about eco-tourism in Highlands County?
Seems we are ignoring the ever increasing demand for an eco-tourism industry. Part of this is most definitely the enjoyment of the night sky. This is a "light industry" (pun intended!) that brings money to our area, requires very little "up-front" investment (no stadiums to build, no theme parks to construct), and preserves our country way of life. Most tourist areas can't offer this because they have already squandered their natural places and dark skies! Why should we follow in the footsteps of our coastal neighbors?
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to be listed in THIS brochure for "Dark Sky Destinations"?
This county - especially southern Highlands County is one of THE darkest remaining places in
the entire southeastern U.S.! Just look at this picture (taken by NASA in
2001).
SO - what can EVERYONE do who is preparing to put up outdoor lights?
Here are some good ideas for smart lighting fixtures!
AND
Contact your Highlands County Commissioner to let her/him know that bad lighting is a bad idea!!! As this beautiful county of ours grows we need a Light Pollution/Trespass Ordinance!!!