Although today’s most influential goals include using efficient- energy products, such as dishwashers and furnaces, little awareness is ever mentioned regarding using lights at night efficiently.
Streetlights operate 365 days for a total of 4,300 hours, which results in using these lights less than 35 percent effectively, according to Debra Norvil, president to the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting (ICROL).
“With 50 percent of out environment- all nocturnal wildlife- conducting its business at night, it is astonishing that policy-makers have overlooked conservation planning for the night, and also missed the immense quantity of energy it takes for every single dusk to dawn apparatus turned to ‘on’ for 4,300 hours each year, overwhelmingly areas with light that are not needed or intended,“ said Norvil.
ICROL is teaming with Lewis University to bring awareness to the community about responsible lighting outdoors in a public symposium, “Manmade Light at Night: Perils and promises,” Thursday, March 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the University Dining Room.
In order to present the various issues and educate people on the impact of light at night, ICROL chose to bring in prominent speakers whom have experience within each topic being addressed, such as human health and the loss of the night sky, and what is being done across the country to reduce lighting levels and costs.
“The symposium was conceived by ICROL as its major outreach event for the first half of 2010,” Norvil said. “[It] was put together by many dedicated people who were willing to donate their time and money to advance the cause for responsible outdoor lighting in Illinois.”
Sponsors for this event include The Oak Group, The International Dark Sky Association, Illinois Audubon, Illinois Nature Fund and many others.
The goal of the symposium is to not promote the extinction of outdoor lighting, but to educate the community about responsible outdoor lighting. According to Norvil, there is an effective way to light the night so the effect is minimal to humans and the environment, and also so the stars will be visible in the night sky.
The audience will leave the symposium with, “The idea that light pollution is indeed a very real and potentially dangerous problem,” said Norvil. “It is up to the them and others to advocate for responsible outdoor lighting at all times. Put the light where it is needed, and only in the right amount.”
Students are encouraged to attend the symposium, which is free and open to anyone interested to learn about the impact of outdoor lighting; however, pre-registration is required through www.illinoislighting.org.
View the flyer, here: http://thelewisflyer.com/flyer/?p=1840
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