SYDNEY OUTDOOR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY INC.

LIGHT POLLUTION BY SOLIS

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Last Updated
2010-08-04

 

Today's emphasis is on efficient energy usage and stricter controls applied to internal power and lighting use. Is it not time for local government to introduce controls on wasted outdoor light via their Development Approvals? We have guide lines to protect the individual's right to sun light, but none to conserve our right to darkness. The intend is not to switch off all lights, but to give consideration to use smaller, more directional fixtures, without glare and spil light. We are faced with new evidence of a growing link between exposure to light beyond the normal cycle and suspected reduced melatonin production and its link with breast and other cancers. Another concern, is short wavelength blue light used in light sources such as Fluorescent Tubes, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Light Emitting Diodes (blue LED's coated with phosphor) . Short wavelength light is known to compromise vision, increase sky glow and affect living organisms through disruption of their biological processes that rely upon natural cycles of daylight and darkness. Given that the Danish government has already acknowled and met some 40 compensation claims in this area is it not time we look to a reduction in wasteful outdoor lighting in the interest of public health and global warming.?

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Image. Sky glow over Cowra a country town in NSW.

The purpose of outdoor light 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 the night environment. Worse still, is the unacceptable glare that causes a safety hazard to passing pedestrians and motorists. Glare could temporarely blind us because our eyes are always attracted to bright glare spots. Such light pollution robs us of right to privasy on our land when glaring spill light illuminate our property and light up our windows at night.


"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 amount of electricity used overall by an economy 14 hours a day. In Australia base load electricity 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 peak load used during the day"


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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