MYTH #4: IT’S TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT
“It’s
too late to do anything about light pollution, there are too many lights.” This is a frequent response when I ask
people why they are not more active in the light pollution struggle. It's a
tough response to adequately address. Yes, the problem is enormous, growing in
many areas, and very difficult to grasp fully. This doesn't mean it isn't
worthy of effort. We have barely begun to fight. Just because we have a very
big problem on our hands and presently few resources to bring to bear, doesn't
mean we can't ultimately win. It's way too early in the struggle to say it's
impossible to do anything about light pollution. Only recently has a small
fraction of the public and astronomical community awakened to the problem. Only
recently have we realized there are solutions to most lighting difficulties.
There are now excellent fixtures available for all lighting needs. This is one
of those few problems whose solution is eminently sensible, available, and
which saves money in both the short term and the long haul.
If
you expect to rid a city of its sky glow in the next year, then you will be
very disappointed. If you want to get rid of local sources of light trespass,
such as a dusk-to dawn light next door or an unshielded street light on the
corner, then you have a very good chance of accomplishing your goals with
persistent but not obnoxious effort. You also have a reasonable chance for
changing laws and instituting proper lighting techniques in your community.
Over a long period good lights will replace the bad and the ugly ones. There
will be a gradual slowing of the loss of dark skies and then an actual
darkening of the sky in some areas.
This
will not happen quickly but it is possible. It will take incredible amounts of
work and determination but it can be done.