Restore the Dark Sky

I will reduce my use of artificial light to help restore the “Dark Sky.” When it is necessary I will use energy efficient lighting. Fact: ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs, using light-emitting diode (LED) technology use up to 90% less energy, and last 15 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. source

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” — Vincent van Gogh

If you haven’t changed bulbs, do it now.

Sticker shock is no longer an issue. Advancements in manufacturing technology have driven the prices down to a level where LED bulbs are more cost-effective than CFLs or incandescent bulbs. 

Remember, turn out the lights when you leave a room.

The nighttime environment is a precious natural resource for all life on Earth, but the glow of uncontrolled outdoor lighting has hidden the stars and changed our perception of the night. Van Gogh painted his famous “Starry Night” in Saint Rémy, France, in 1889. Now, the Milky Way can no longer be seen from there.

For billions of years, all life has relied on Earth’s predictable rhythm of day and night. It’s encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night.

Plants, animals, and humans depend on this cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators. 80% of migratory birds in North America make their seasonal flights at night.

Outdoor lighting, when it is necessary, should be fully shielded and directed down, not into the sky. Dimmers, motion sensors and timers help to reduce illumination levels and save energy.

Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Don McLean – YouTube

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