http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~graff/nelpag/ida/IDA1.html
Such a loss might be acceptable if light pollution were the inevitable price of progress, but it
is not. Most sky glow, as scientists call it, is unncessary. The light that obscures our view of
the night sky comes mainly from ineffiecient lighting sources that do little to increase
nighttime safety, utility, or security. It produces only glare and clutter, costing more than $1
billion annualy in wasted energy in the United States alone.
Light pollution is not a matter of life and death. Yet it is important nonetheless,
profoundly so. We human being lose something of ourselves when we can no
longer look up and see our place in the universe. It is like never again hearing
the laughter of children; we give up part of what we are.
On an individual level, people can help reduce sky glow by using night lighting
only when necessary, choosing well shielded fixtures and turning off lights when
they are not needed.
Crawford Theft of the night: IDA INFORMATION SHEET NUMBER 18 (Edition No. 1, January 1990)
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Good lighting means:
Using the right amount of light, not overkill and not too little.
Using fairly uniform lighting, so our eyes can adjust easily.
Avoiding deep shadows. We need smooth transitions from light to dark.
No glare! Glare always harms visability.
Avoiding light trespass: light going where it's not wanted or needed.
Minimising the up light. We don't live up in the sky. Save the Stars!
Avoiding the clutter and trashy look of areas with poor quality lighting.
Saving energy. We waste far too much light, light that produces glare,
bright skies, light trespass. We can save well over a Billion Dollars a
year in the U.S.A. alone.
How to get good light:
Use quality lighting fixtures, ones that control light output, putting it only
where it is needed and wanted. Never use fixtures that spray light
everywhere.
Use the right amount of light, not overkill.
Use energy efficient lighting sources.
Use time controls and dimmers where possible.
IDA INFORMATION SHEET 34 (Edition No. 1, March 1993) We all need good outdoor nightime lighting
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Controlling when and where lights are used, how long they are on, how bright
they are can be a major factor in conserving energy. Devices range from simple
on/off switch to compters programmed to activate lights automatically. Turn
lights off when not needed. Use individual controls rather than lighting large
areas off of one switch. Use timers. Don't burn outdoor lights in the daytime.
Use photo-sensors where possible. Some of the newer applications use motion
sensors for room light control, and such systems are also feasible for outdoor
applications.
Effective Outdoor Lighting INFORMATION SHEET NUMBER 52 (Edition No. 1, April 1992)
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1.Do your homework first. You must be well prepared. Don't waste
people's time if you are not. You will lose their confidence, if you had
any. Don't waste time on non-important items. Don't be repetitive. Do
short and clear presentations, to the point. Show both sides of the issue.
Be complete. Emotional appeals carry little weight, especially when not
backed by good facts or when only backed by inaccurate or biased
facts. Know more about the issue than they do, whoever "they" are. Be
confident and assertive (not aggressive!). Show you care! That you are
committed.
2.Facts are not enough, however. Emotions and perceptions are there all
the time. One needs the facts, lots of them, accurate and complete, but
one needs psychology too. Personal relations are very important and are
in play all the time.
3.Make positive approaches, not negative or combative ones. Offer
alternatives. Be flexible to local needs. Show how others will benefit too,
including officials and the general public. Marshall your allies early.
4.Ask for advice; let individuals tell you how to change their point of view.
Most people really like to be helpful, when they can. Let them know
how. Listen! Ask them how they can help. Lay the groundwork
properly. Informal communication is very effective. Don't just
communicate when crises arise; be in touch regularly.
5.Go to the staff for information; try to work out problems at that level.
These are hardworking, competent, usually very helpful people. They
are overworked and underpaid. Be patient; help them with any and all
work that you can. Have draft ordinances and backup information in
writing. Clippings. Letters. Be prepared before you talk to them.
Establish and maintain one-to-one relations.
6.Assess the opposition in the community, or within the staff or officials.
Resolve known conflicts or misunderstandings, if any, before any
hearings. Be sure staff and officials know were the opposition is coming
from, and how to respond.
7.Participate in local hearings, study groups, advisory committees. Meet
and talk with people. Spend the time. Get on the committees even.
Recognize that you must make a major commitment or your time!
8.Be prepared to compromise, but always keep the overall goal in sight.
Do not compromise that! Know what the opposition's strong points
are, who opposes you and why, so you can develop counter arguments
and facts and allies.
9.Be tactful. Don't argue. These are people who get hassles all the time.
Don't back people into a corner. Be professional, polite, helpful. Always
be completely ethical, open, and honest, to everyone, even those who
seem irrational. Two wrongs don't make a right.
10.show appreciation for everything you gain, for successes, for all the
help!!
11.IDA can supply materials, such as slides, handouts you can copy and
use, fact sheets, and so fourth. Develop your own local facts and
information and examples of good and bad lighting; send copies to IDA.
Specific Advice on Working with Governmental Entities
Working with local governments may be time consuming, frustrating and
non-productive at times, or such efforts may be pleasant and productive. Here
are some suggestions that can make a difference, sometimes, in achieving the
desired results with a minimum of time, efform and expense. It still takes a lot of
time though!!
1.Before the first contact, orgainze all your material and your thoughts so
that you an argue a) that a problem exists, and will become worse, and
b) that government assistance is needed. Have examples ready.
2.Determine the structure of the local government
information sheet number 6 Advice on Working with Community Leaders, Officials and Others
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Outline and Summary of the Issues:
Most existing astronomical observatories are suffering from light
pollution, radio interference, or effects of space debris. Amateurs and
professionals alike are affected by these environmental impacts. These
environmental threats to observatories are rapidly increasing.
Observatories in space, built at great cost, may be seriously affected by
orbital debris or other man-made space pollution: space debris.
All planning of future observatiories on Earth and in space must take
environmental deterioration into account and include provision for
controlling such adverse impacts on operation.
The human experience of the inspiring beauty of the cosmos is at risk for
all people, not just scientists, as light pollution destroys our view of the
beautiful dark sky.
Quality lighting is the key to overcoming light pollution. It means better
visibility at night, freedom from glare, and also a great deal of energy
savings. Everyone wins.
Information sheet number 14: Fact Sheet on the International Dark-Sky
Association
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All this is in face of the fact that there is more
crime in the daytime than at night, that there is more crime in well lit areas than
in dark areas
IDA information sheet number 26: Economic Issues in Wasted and Inefficient Outdoor Lighting
International Dark-Sky Association, 3545 N. Stewart, Tucson AZ 85716
U.S.A.
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The New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) is a
volunteer group founded during the autumn of 1993 for the purpose of
educating the public on the virtues of efficient, glare-free outdoor night lighting.
The NELPAG sponsors irregular meetings throughout the New England region
that bring together lighting engineers, physicians, power utility representatives,
government officials, astronomers, journalists, and the general public for
discussion of improvement in outdoor night lighting.
The New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) is a
volunteer group founded during the autumn of 1993 for the purpose of
educating the public on the virtues of efficient, glare-free outdoor night lighting.
The NELPAG sponsors irregular meetings throughout the New England region
that bring together lighting engineers, physicians, power utility representatives,
government officials, astronomers, journalists, and the general public for
discussion of improvement in outdoor night lighting.
The goals of the NELPAG have been to provide resources to people involved
in outdoor lighting issues, from state and city/town officials discussing the
implementation of laws and bylaws to utility companies who are concerned
with street lighting, to ordinary people interested in lighting their store parking
lot (or even their driveway or yard). In 1994, the NELPAG provided revised
wording to a bill already under consideration by the Massachusetts state
legislature (numbered H. 2553 during the 1995 fiscal year).
The bill:
Massachusetts Night Lighting Bill
(proposed)
Amended text to H. 1652 (Massachusetts Night Lighting Bill)
Title: An Act to Improve the Quality of Outdoor Night Lighting to
Conserve Energy, Reduce Light Pollution, and Improve Safety
by Reducing Glare
No state funds shall be used to install any new permanent outdoor luminaire
or to replace an existing permanent outdoor luminaire unless:
A. The new or replacement luminaire is a full-cutoff luminaire when the
rated output of the luminaire is greater than 1,800 lumens;
B. If a lighting recommendation or regulation applies, the minimum
illuminance specified by the recommendation or regulation is used;
C. If no lighting recommendation or regulation applies, the minimum
illuminance adequate for the intended purpose is used, giving full
consideration to energy conservation, glare, and minimizing light
trespass;
D. For roadway lighting, a determination is made that the purpose
of the lighting installation or replacement can not be achieved by
installation of reflectorized roadway markers, lines, warnings
or informational signs, or other passive means; and
E. Adequate consideration has been given to conserving energy and
minimizing glare, light pollution, and light trespass.
Exceptions from the provisions of this bill are permitted only when:
A. Federal laws, rules and regulations take precedence over these
provisions;
B. Fire, police, rescue, or repair personnel need light
for temporary emergency situations;
C. There are special requirements, such as sports facilities and monument
or flag lighting; all such lighting shall be selected and installed to
shield the lamp(s) from direct view to the greatest extent possible,
and to minimize upward lighting and light trespass; or
D. A determination has been made, established through an open, public
hearing process, that there is a compelling safety interest that can
not be addressed by any other method.
--- Definitions ---
A. Luminaire means a lighting system, including a lamp or lamps together
with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect
the lamps, and to connect the lamps to the power supply.
B. Lamp means the component of a luminaire that produces the light.
C. Lumen is a specific standard unit of measurement of luminous flux.
D. Full-cutoff luminaire means a luminaire that allows no direct light
from the luminaire above a horizontal plane through the luminaire's
lowest light-emitting part.
E. Direct light means light emitted directly by a lamp, off a reflector,
or through a refractor of a luminaire.
F. Glare means direct light emitted by a luminaire that causes reduced
vision or momentary blindness.
G. Light pollution means general sky glow caused by the scattering of
artificial light in the atmosphere, much of which is caused by
poorly-designed luminaires.
H. Light trespass means light emitted by a luminaire that shines beyond
the boundaries of the property on which the luminaire is located.
I. Outdoor light fixtures means outdoor artificial illuminating devices,
installed or portable, used for flood-lighting, general illumination,
or advertisement.
J. Permanent outdoor luminaire means any fixed luminaire or system of
luminaires that is outdoors and that is intended to be used for 7 days
or longer.
K. State funds means any bond revenues or any money appropriated or
allocated by the Massachusetts Legislature.
L. Roadway lighting means permanent outdoor luminaires that are
specifically intended to illuminate roadways for automotive vehicles.
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