SYDNEY OUTDOOR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY INC.

LIGHT POLLUTION by 'SOLIS'


A TIMELY REMINDER.

We are in the midst of an energy crisis. The global warming is with us and because of it we are encouraged to purchase energy efficient appliances and to install compact fluorescent light globes in order to save energy. We are also planting million of trees across Australia for the purpose of absorbing CO2 from our mainly coal fired power stations. In spite of the crisis we continue to install wasteful, unshielded lighting fixtures without considering the damage caused by light spilling beyond the intended target, like, uselessly lighting up the night sky, causing glare to passing traffic and by causing annoyance to neighbours by lighting up their livingroom and bedroom windows. Be a good neightbour by keeping your light within your own property by using shields and other means to prevent light spilling above and beyond the property line.

Sky glow over Cowra, a country town in NSW. Sky glow prevents us seeing all the stars in the night sky

Sky glow over Cowra, a country town in NSW. Sky glow prevents us seeing all the stars in the night sky

Sky glow-

is caused by unused outdoor uplighting. This light is scattered in the atmosphere by particles and aerosols causing the air above urban areas to glow. The end result is that we are unable to see most of the 2500 stars that would normally be seen under dark skies. Astronomers at Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran in NSW are affected in their research by sky glow as far away as Sydney and suburbs. Reducing sky glow, unlike other forms of pollution, actually saves us money and also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Obtrusive outdoor lighting is cause for other concerns, such as: Safety Hazard , Health Hazard, Public Nuisance and Energy Waste.

The purpose of outdoor lighting should be to light up the ground to assist us see as we go about our business, and for our safety and security. Bright lights spilling beyond the intended property is a public nuisance and detracts from the amenity of neighbours. Worse still is the unacceptable glare that causes a safety hazard to passing pedestrians and motorists. Glare could temporarily blind us because our eyes are always attracted to bright glare spots. Light pollution robs us of our right to privacy on our land when glaring unshielded lights illuminate our property and light up our windows at night.

Excess illumination from unshielded fixtures spilling into the night sky and lighting up half the neighbourhood wastes enormous amount of energy and does not comply with Australian Standard AS 4282 "Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting".


"In Australia, CSIRO has projected that demand for electricity will double by 2020 and that roughly 50% of the base load electricity usage should not be there. Base load electricity refers to the amout of electricity used overall by an economy 24 hours a day. In Australia base load electricity use is as high as 70 % of Australia's peak load, yet in the UK it is as low as 40%. This shows that in Australia, throughout the night, every night of the year, Australian business, commercial buildings and homes collectively are still using 70 % of the total peak load consumed during the day." See web: naturaledgeproject.net/sustainable.energy.solution-portfolio.aspx

Outdoor lighting unnecessarely left on all night play a small but important part in reducing base load electricity usage over night and would help eliminate the need for new base load power stations.








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