Shedding light on light pollution
Remember the story about the three guys in the desert who followed a star in the dark night sky?
Remember when there was a dark night sky? Today three men (wise though they may be) could not rely on seeing a star in the night sky. A GPS would be their best bet.
Lo these 2,000 years after that star-studded event in Bethlehem, we are awash in light pollution. It may seem Grinchly to write a column about light pollution when the world was just aglow with jolly lighted Santas, blinking-nosed Rudolphs and LED-lit Frosties next to messiahs and Magi in illuminated mangers. But I bring good tidings! There are easily attainable solutions to light pollution.
Many people never give it a thought. Or, they figure it only concerns those telescope-toting astronomy buffs. But it's not just a star-head thing. Nor is it a hypothetical problem for kings wandering the wilderness without MapQuest. It's an issue with broad ramifications for you and for me and for wildlife all around us.
Light pollution is misdirected and misused light. "There generally are two sources of light pollution: light that is aimed skyward and glare in a horizontal direction from ground lights," local astronomer Jack Kramer of Lily Lake explains, The origin of skyward illumination is floodlights that are aimed upward toward buildings and signs. Only a portion of that light actually falls on its target. The rest ends up scattered in the atmosphere. Glare from ground lights is often referred to as 'light trespass,' a situation where excess illumination on buildings and street lamps is not directed downward, but shines outward and into our eyes."
Light pollution one of the fastest growing forms of pollution. Jim Griffin, president of the Kane County Astronomical Association, says that he has seen a significant loss in night sky views in the past three to four years alone. The problem is pandemic as the glow spreads across continents and hemispheres. Check out the satellite's-eye view of our world at night. The brightest glow emanates from the industrialized nations of the world. "The levels of outdoor night lighting in industrialized countries have more than doubled in ... the past few decades," according to science educator Mike Hansen in his article "Casting Light on Light Pollution."
We have the technology to produce more, bigger, and brighter lights than ever. And the switch is always on.
Old-timers who remember seeing the Milky Way in their childhood rue the loss of the experience for their grandchildren's sake. Few people would recognize this celestial phenomenon if they saw it. In fact, The New York Times reported in October 2008 that "during a blackout in Los Angeles, some residents became alarmed at a liquidlike substance that had taken over the sky. It was, of course, the Milky Way."
People shrug at the very idea that light is a form of pollution. When I bring up the topic, the response is usually an insistence that we need exterior lighting for safety. But illumination does not insure security. Several studies conducted in the 1990s have shown that criminals can actually benefit from outdoor lighting (the better to see their way into your house). Many break-ins occur during the daytime when you're at work anyway. So much for homeland security.
Another justification for lights at night is put quite simply: to help us to see. But artificial light does not necessarily help us diurnal, or daytime, creatures see better at night. Scientists have found the intensity of blue (short-wavelength) light in artificial lighting linked to photochemical damage to human eyes. And if you've ever had had headlights from an oncoming car shine in your eyes while driving, you know what happens. You can't see! (Enough already with those LED high beams!) Glare from unshielded light fixtures on buildings and billboards can temporarily "blind" drivers and pedestrians alike. By contrast, try taking a walk in the woods at night in the absence of artificial lights. You'd be amazed at how much more you can see when you allow your eyes to adjust to the natural darkness.
Artificial light has another impact. It bugs not only lightning bugs, but turns many moths into crazed kamikaze creatures who suffer a crash-and-burn ending. Artificial lighting alters moths' ability to evade bats who literally make a killing around artificial lights. We're not talking just a few moths here and there. Entire populations of moths are taking a hit.
A bit farther from our neck of the woods, sea turtles on the east coast suffer from artificial lighting. "When emerging from their shells, young turtles naturally migrate toward the ocean, using starlight reflecting off the surface of the water to orient themselves," Hanson explains. "Brightly lit shorefront development confuses them ... many head toward the lights and are crushed on the roads." Talk about misdirected youth with tragic endings.
Artificial lights beamed up into trees may look cool, but they're not so cool for birds and other tree-dwelling creatures. Countless species seek protected nooks to safely hide in at night, and a spotlight on a tree is akin to an eviction notice. Of particular concern are spotlights directed skyward during migration. Lights shining up into the sky can throw many migrant birds off course by inhibiting birds' ability to read key navigational signs in the constellations above.
Attracted to the artificial light, many birds collide with the guy wires of towers ... Others fly close to high-rise buildings, become disoriented and exhausted, and run into the glass of lighted windows." The death toll in Chicago alone? Approximately 20,697 birds over a 14 year study period.
Bummer for the birds. And for the moths. And the fireflies. And the turtles and countless other types of wildlife. And for us.
But I promised good news and here it is: Light pollution is the one form of pollution that has an immediate, inexpensive, and lasting solution. Turn off the switch. Reconsider how much exterior lighting you really need. Check out the International Dark Sky Association's Web site www.darksky.org. There you'll find practical, affordable tips and tools to improve lighting.
Which brings me back to when the three kings took that famous road trip in the dark. After twelve nights of traveling, they found their destination under the light of a brightly shining star. Think of what that night sky must have looked like 2,000-some-odd years ago. We may not directly experience such splendor, but tonight turn out the porch lights, step outside and look up. You might find a shining star - or a perfect snowflake - in the winter's night sky. You'll surely be blessed by the wonders of the season and the glories of the galaxy.
• Naturalist Valerie Blaine searches for stars through the oak trees in her woods in St. Charles. You can reach her by e-mail blainevalerie@kaneforest.com.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Lights Out!</p> <p class="News">The city of Chicago has set a good example for reducing the effects of light pollution. "Lights Out Chicago" is a collaborative effort of the Chicago Audubon Society, the city of Chicago, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, and the Field Museum. Throughout the city lights are either turned off or dimmed during migration. Check out <a href="http://www.lightsout.audubon.org" target="new">www.lightsout.audubon.org</a> to see a "before and after" picture and to read about the campaign.</p> <p class="breakhead">Stargazing opportunities in the Fox Valley</p> <p class="News">Want an out-of-this-world experience in 2009? Check out the monthly "star parties" at Peck Farm Park in Geneva where members of the Fox Valley Astronomy Club set up their telescopes and interpret the celestial happenings. Star parties are scheduled on Saturdays February 7, March 7, and April 4, 2009. The programs begin at 7 p.m. Call (630) 262-8244 for information.</p> <p class="News">In addition, Jim Griffin and Jack Kramer of the Kane County Astronomical Association will teach an astronomy class on the spring equinox, March 20, at Camp Tomo-Chi-Chi Knolls in Gilberts. This presentation is geared to an adult audience and will include a lecture/discussion followed by sky observation outside. Call (847) 741-8350 for information.</p>