Birds, insects, mammals, and even humans, evolved a circadian rhythm. The balance between day and night has tipped decidedly toward 24 hour daytime. Below are estimated impacts by the International Dark Sky Association.
Light Pollution News
A Podcast Shedding the Light Only Where Needed
Featured Episodes
February 2024: A Space for Celebration
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We have a lot to go over about tonight, including holiday lights mistaken as an alien invasion to the preferences of light temperatures of Boulder residents! And is the City of Davis, California simply too dark!?
Host Bill McGeeney put together a stellar line up for this month! From all the way down under, Sydney based freelancer writer Lauren Collee adds a unique cultural view of night! As well does a man who converted dark sky skeptics to believers in his home Massachusetts town, astronomer, Tim Brothers! And…the brains behind one of the most talked about recent documentaries in Dark Skies, Ms. Tara Roberts Zabriskie!
March 2024: Ar Hyd Y Nos
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Plenty on the plate this afternoon! We learned new details on how nighttime flying insects use light at night. Colorado’s wealthiest ski town decided to create a new Dark Sky ordinance, but should 311 be the mechanism of enforcement? A couple pays 100 in legal fees after they fail to convince a judge of light trespass. And what to make of a new glow in the dark park in Dallas?
This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Interlochen Radio’s Mary Stewart Adams, Dark Sky Consultant, John Barentine, and fresh off of the publishing of her new book, Dani Robertson!
April 2024: Sonification
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The Great American Eclipse Part II is nearly upon us! Hope you have your plans set!
What a fun show today – Joining host Bill McGeeney all the way from Trinidad and Tobago, Isa Mohammed! From an undisclosed space in the desert, Dark Sky’s own, Bettymaya Foot. And educator – astrophotographer, Mr. Frank Turina!
This month, there’s a ferry station in Seattle that appears to have it all figured out! And should we bundle that lighting ordinance with bird legislation, or leave unbundled?! And…when’s the last time, you, used all of your senses?
Helpful Tips!
Solution to Reduce Light Pollution: 10 Easy Ways
When we start thinking about the issue of light pollution, like many other environmental issues, it can seem like an impossible problem to fix. Luckily, light pollution is technically the most easily reversible form of pollution. If you are interested in reducing light pollution, the best way to start is at home. We have 10 easy steps you can follow to inventory your home lighting to decrease the amount of light pollution coming from your home.
How Many Lumens Do You Need for Outdoor Lighting?
When installing or replacing outdoor lights, brightness of the lights (lumens) is an important factor that needs to be considered. The amount of lumens needed will depend on the application. This will range from 12-800 lumens depending on the purpose of the light.
We recommend going on the lower end when possible, this will not only save on energy costs, but it will help to decrease your contribution to light pollution. You can also add additional lights, or go with a brighter light bulb if you find you need a brighter light for your outdoor lighting.
Best Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard Landscape.
Many people put a lot of time, money, and effort into their outdoor spaces. Lights are a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space at all times of the day. We believe that less is more when it comes to lighting. Too much lighting and everything will be bathed in a generic glow, the play of light and shadows allows for a much more dramatic effect and will allow certain areas and features to be highlighted. We have some great dark sky friendly lighting options for all your outdoor lighting needs.
Do We Need All Of That Light?
Protect Our Night
Annual Estimated Cost of Exterior Lighting
50B USD
US Department of Energy Estimated Percentage Resulting in Wasted Light
99%
Annual American Consumption of Outdoor Lighting.
308 tWH
Light Pollution in Numbers
Excess and Unnecessary Light Have Consequences.
875,000,000
Trees Needed to Offset CO2 Emissions from Outdoor Lighting in the US Per Year, via the International Dark Sky Association.
99%
Americans and Europeans who can’t see the Milky Way, per National Geographic.
1,000,000,000
Estimated bird deaths annually due to factors including building lights, per NPR
2x
Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans are 2x more likely to live in heavily light polluted environments according to 2020 Study.
