Some Topics to Write About
ASTRONOMY
Dark skies are needed to see the stars instead of sky glow.
Children are growing up without ever seeing the Milky Way
BADLY DIRECTED LIGHTING
Gradually our cities have been getting brighter.
Bright lighting has become a status symbol
– ref the SPECTACULAR Heads of the Valleys Trail of Light.
It can be harsh and unattractive
Lights cause dazzle when they shine directly into the eyes.
The human eye takes 10 minutes to recover its dark adaptation.
Many floodlights are on all night and sometimes all day.
Mostly miss the object to be lit and add to sky glow
Lights under trees disturb wildlife. Trees are stressed anyway.
ENERGY SHORTAGE and COST OF ENERGY
North sea gas running out and imported energy costs more.
There is political instability in many oil/gas exporting regions
Greater demand will lead to higher prices.
This will affect individuals and our economy
ENERGY WASTE
All individuals and public bodies should be conserving energy.
We pay in increased council tax.
DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT
CO2 emissions are still increasing.
If we loose the gulf stream, the UK may get colder.
Global warming brings more hurricanes, flash floods and drought
CLIMATE CHANGE
The climate is not in equilibrium.
Currently most affected are desperately poor countries
Some Councils/Town are Making Progress
THERE IS A NEED FOR A LIGHT POLLUTION POLICY
Planning department building regulations should have
light pollution clauses
It’s best to stop bad lighting BEFORE its installed
There are GUIDELINES BY THE INSTITUTE OF LIGHTING ENGINEERS website www.ile.org.uk but lighting manufacturers/designers/architects/councils are not aware.
A COUNCIL SHOULD BE A PATH FINDER.
Cardiff was the first Fair Trade city.
It should aim for the status of a well lit city
ASSEMBLY/COUNCIL LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED
They should discourage floodlighting – not do it or use softer dimmer lights. The use of well directed spot lights is preferred which should be turned off at midnight.
Offenders should be prosecuted when law can be enforced.
They should encourage shops to turn off lights/ dim lights/limit hours and stop private organisations wasting light.
PAST MISTAKES SHOULD BE CORRECTED
Councils find it difficult to admit and rectify errors.
BAD LIGHTING CAN SPREAD LIKE A VIRUS
It can become a ME TOO status thing.
Public bodies, councillors, politicians and designer are keener than the public.
When Cardiff city Lights failed, no one complained and few noticed.
| 
