Light Pollution
The CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) recently reported that light pollution in Suffolk is encroaching on rural life more than ever. The new research brings together maps for the early 1960s and 1990s with new maps and data for 2007.
They show the extent of urban intrusion, including major infrastructure such as motorways, power stations, and airports. Currently 50% of England is disturbed by the sights and sounds of the way we live. More detailed analysis per county shows that this disturbance in Suffolk has risen from 16% of the total county area to almost 38% in 2007.
Quick definitions from http://www.britastro.org
* Light pollution - Light that shines where it is neither needed nor wanted
* Good lighting - Lighting that shines only onto the ground -where it is needed!
* Bad lighting - Lighting that shines outwards into homes and upwards in to sky
According to the CPRE Light pollution:
* destroys our view of the night sky
* wastes energy - thereby adding to air pollution and emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases
* harms people's quality of life. For example, it can rob us of sleep when it shines into our homes
The problem is getting worse. Between 1993 and 2000:
* light pollution increased 24% nationally
* the amount of truly dark night sky in this country fell from 15% to 11%
We have to ask whether all these lights at night are necessary, how we can better choose our night lights and also what effect they may cause on other species natural habitats and lives. Bats are one species often confused by extended hours of light, whilst changes caused to insects behaviour from excessive light is thought to threaten frogs and birds also. Read more :www.lightpollution.org.uk
The British Astronomical Association has a great website packed with information about light pollution www.britastro.org
For indepth maps of light pollution in Suffolk and further stats see www.cpre.org.uk
- Posted by emma on 25/09/2007.
- emma's site
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