Dark sky campaigners in Australia are urging the government to follow the lead of France and introduce legislation to limit artificial light at night (ALAN).
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance has launched a petition designed to demonstrate public support for limiting ALAN and reducing light pollution.
The petition runs until 19 September and is calling on the government to introduce legislation to limit light pollution, “including public and private exterior illumination”, ensuring that lighting is only used when and where is it necessary, and that “it is limited to levels which are safe and fit for purpose”.
It has highlighted the example of France, where strict lighting laws reduced national light emissions by 6% in the first year and by 25% by 2023. Other countries, such as Germany and Croatia, have also already successfully introduced similar legislation to limit light pollution and ALAN.
“Light pollution caused by excessive Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has harmful effects on human health, is harmful and disruptive to vulnerable species of flora and fauna, and has negative impacts on the economy, including placing unnecessary loads on electrical infrastructure, which leads to increases in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change,” the petition has stated.
“Reducing ALAN not only helps to reduce the harmful effects listed above, but can also lead to benefits, such as making streets safer by reducing glare and light trespass, and increasing Astrotourism,” it added.
A post on LinkedIn by advocate for dark skies and sustainable tourism Marnie Ogg has also highlighted that Palm Beach has now become the first ‘Urban Night Sky Place’ in the Southern Hemisphere.
This, she wrote, “shows that protecting darkness benefits wildlife, community pride, tourism, and wellbeing in urban areas”.
The online petition can be found at: https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7346
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