RVCD Earth Week 2024 – Day 2: International Dark Sky Week and Light Pollution

April 23, 2024

Welcome to day two of Earth Week 2024!

Today, we will be covering Dark Sky Week and the impacts of light pollution (something us here in the Ruby Valley don’t experience much but is still important to learn about!).

International Dark Sky Week happened earlier this month, celebrating night to bring awareness to the effects of light pollution.

Light pollution is “the brightening of the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made sources, which has a disruptive effect on natural cycles and inhibits the observation of stars and planets”(Oxford Dictionary). Many studies have shown impacts on wildlife, energy, climate, human health, crime and safety, etc. Find more information at this link to go to darksky.org.

The solution is as easy as flipping a switch…a light switch to be exact. About 20%-50% of outdoor residential lighting directly aims into the sky without proper shielding and, as a result, contributes to light pollution.

Here are a few things you can do to preserve the beauty of the night sky:

• Follow responsible lighting practices – only place lights outside that have a clear purpose, and consider where the light is pointing. If it’s in the sky, that light is just absorbed into the abyss and contributes to the problem
• Don’t have your lights on all night. If you’re asleep, do you need them on? As a bonus, you’ll save on bills!
• Swap out harsh lighting for warm-colored bulbs.
• Similar to the first point, direct light only where it is needed.

The great thing is that light pollution is something that CAN be reversed, but it takes a collective effort. The DarkSky Montana chapter contact is Lee Rademaker, contact them at info.montana@darksky.org.

Tune in tomorrow for some information on pollinators!