Governor Jared Polis of Colorado has officially designated Dark Sky Month. The objective? To increase public awareness of a significant issue affecting humans, animals, and plants, often without our notice.
Symbolic Gesture with a Purpose
It’s important to note that this is not a legal mandate and carries no legal weight. It’s a symbolic proclamation that draws attention to the problem. In the proclamation, the Governor’s team highlights some key points worth sharing.
Aesthetic and Ecological Importance of Dark Skies
The proclamation begins by emphasizing the aesthetic value of dark skies. Some areas in Colorado boast Bortle Class 1 skies, meaning they are nearly as dark as possible. In these pristine locations, one can marvel not only at the Milky Way but also at the full splendor of the night sky, including phenomena like seeing one’s shadow cast by Jupiter’s light or observing the gegenschein (a faint glow opposite the sun).
Negative Impacts of Light Pollution on Health and Wildlife
Beyond beauty, dark skies are crucial for life on Earth, which evolved to depend on light during the day and darkness at night.
Excessive nighttime light disrupts this natural cycle, leading to hormonal imbalances, sleep problems, and an increased risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, and other health issues in humans.
Animals are even more affected, as light can cause disorientation, making them more vulnerable to predators or starvation.
Colorado’s Unique Opportunity
Colorado, in particular, stands to gain significantly from preserving its dark skies. In addition to the well-known health and safety benefits of dark nights (bright lights can obscure hazards), many people travel to the western United States for astrotourism due to the clear views of the stars. This generates substantial tourism revenue for states with dark skies.
Economic and Environmental Considerations
Furthermore, excessive lighting wastes energy by illuminating areas unnecessarily. The proclamation emphasizes that there are practical solutions to this problem, ensuring human safety and productivity without sacrificing dark skies.
Solutions for Reducing Light Pollution
To protect the night sky, lights should:
- Have a clear purpose and be necessary.
- Be directed only where needed to fulfill that purpose.
- Not be brighter than required.
- Only be turned on when needed.
- Use warmer colors whenever possible.
Places that have implemented these measures have successfully restored dark sky views while maintaining adequate lighting for safety and activity. Often, simple solutions like motion sensors or better shielding to direct light downwards can make a significant difference.
A Step in the Right Direction
While more concrete actions like building standards, lighting upgrade incentives, or ordinances mandating better lighting would be ideal, the proclamation raising awareness of light pollution is a positive step forward.