Dark Sky

Dark Sky, Research

Researchers Find Red Lights Outdoors For Wildlife Protection Comes With Potential Risks

Research was published January 20, 2024, in the journal Lighting Research & Technology, about the potential benefits and risks of using red lights outdoors at night to reduce light pollution and its impacts on wildlife and humans. The paper is titled, Red light to mitigate light pollution: Is it possible to balance functionality and ecological [...]

Dark Sky

DarkSky Approved Lodging Program Officially Launched

On January 9th, 2024, DarkSky International officially launched the DarkSky Approved Lodging Program. DarkSky Approved Lodging is an overnight visitor accommodation with exceptional or distinguished quality starry nights and a nighttime environment preserved through on-site DarkSky Approved lighting. They include camps, seasonal campgrounds, hotels and resorts, retreat centers, properties promoting ecotourism, and astrotourism lodges that [...]

Codes + Standards, Dark Sky

DLC Updates LUNA Technical Requirements

  The DLC recently released an update to the LUNA Technical Requirements to clarify and simplify the testing process for LUNA-eligible products. Table 3 has been added to the requirements, which summarizes worst-case photometric testing requirements for LUNA products for spectrum and distribution. The policy has also been changed so that mounting structures no longer [...]

Dark Sky, Energy + Environment

Cities Adopting Policies To Prevent Bird-Building Collisions, Including Lighting

Some estimates are that up to one billion birds each year are killed in collisions with windows. A new report titled, “Building Safer Cities for Birds: How Cities Are Leading the Way on Bird-Friendly Building Policy,” details the growing number of cities, municipalities, laws, and policies that are reducing deadly bird collisions with buildings. The [...]

Dark Sky

Arguments Against 180 Degree Cut-Off For Street & Area Lights

The September 2023 issue of LD+A has an interesting article arguing that a 180-degree cut-off for street and area lights is an inadequate requirement. The article is written by Thomas Paterson, who lays out the following arguments for a tighter beam cut-off angle, such as 150 or 120 degrees: Tolerance – A 180-degree cut-off doesn’t [...]

Dark Sky, Research

New DarkSky State Of The Science 2023 Report Released

Last year, I wrote about the release of the first Artificial Light At Night (ALAN): State of the Science Report 2022, available here. DarkSky (formerly the International Dark Sky Association – IDA), has now released an updated version of the report titled Artificial Light At Night: State of the Science 2023 Report. It is a [...]

Dark Sky, Lighting Industry

Declining Fireflies, Another Sign Of Bugpocalypse

  Have you noticed a decline in fireflies this Summer? I have, but so have scientists. Nearly 1 in 3 firefly species in the United States and Canada may be threatened with extinction, firefly experts estimate in a recent comprehensive assessment. Surveys abroad show declines from mangroves in Malaysia to grasslands in England. New research [...]

Dark Sky, Legislation + Regulation

Bill Aims To Reduce 230,000 Bird Deaths Annually From NYC Building Collisions

  A new “Lights-Out” bill has been proposed in NYC’s City Council to reduce migratory bird deaths. The bill would require many privately-owned commercial buildings to reduce light at night. NYC Audubon estimates that 230,000 birds die annually in collisions with windows and brightly lit facades. The bill wouldn’t apply when people are in buildings, [...]

Dark Sky, Research

How Light Pollution Disrupts Plants

  A lot of research and attention has been given to how light pollution negatively impacts birds, bats, other animals, and insects. Less well known are the negative impacts of light pollution on plants. Most people have seen now bright lights at night attract moths. This can significantly change moth behavior. Artificial light at night [...]

Dark Sky

Three New DLC Resources To Fight Light Pollution

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has been busy creating resources to fight light pollution. Here are three recent examples: Seven Strategies to Minimize Negative Impacts of Outdoor Light at Night. This whitepaper provides an overview of the types of light pollution that affect outdoor environments. It has high-level information for energy efficiency program staff, contractors, distributors, [...]

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