Our night sky is getting brighter. Here's 5 ways you can help keep it dark.
- Light pollution is a growing issue that affects 80% of people in North America, disrupting sleep patterns, harming animals, and wasting energy.
There's something magical about looking up at a starry sky.
Across cultures and millennia, people have looked to the night sky to inspire awe, fulfill curiosity and even deliver guidance. But as brightly lit population centers expand, there are fewer chances to see it — in fact, an estimated 80% of people in North America can no longer see the Milky Way .
Light pollution has bigger impacts than blocking an impressive view, though. It can confuse and hurt birds and other animals, disrupt our sleep patterns, leading to poorer quality sleep, and waste energy, according to DarkSky International .
More: A second dark sky park in Wisconsin was within reach. Then light pollution increased.
Experts say everyone can play a part in keeping the night sky dark, even at their own home or business. Here are five things you can do to help.
Turn off unnecessary lights
DarkSky International recommends starting with an assessment of outdoor lights on your property. Are you lighting up any areas that never receive night traffic, or duplicating lights in any spots?
If so, consider turning those lights off permanently.
Consider timers and dimmer switches
If it's not possible to get rid of a light completely, try setting it up with a timer, motion sensor or dimmer switch. That way, you have control over when it's used and how bright it shines.
Light only what you need to
Light helps us find our way, so it makes sense to illuminate stairs, paths and doorways.
Reduce excess light by focusing it only on the area you really need. Point the light at the ground, not up into the sky, and use a shielded fixture to make sure it's not spilling over into places that don't really need to be lit.
Try low-level, warm-colored lights
Check the Kelvin rating on your lightbulb box. Lights with Kelvin ratings of 3000 or less give off a warmer glow and emit less blue light. For homes, DarkSky International recommends Kelvin ratings of 2700 or less.
Talk about it with friends and neighbors
Making changes to outdoor lights on your property can be a first step, but there are a lot of other lights out there, too.
Once a larger conversation has been started, some communities consider writing ordinances to address nighttime lighting or starting their own dark sky preservation group. DarkSky Wisconsin , for example, started in Wisconsin this summer.
Madeline Heim is a Report for America corps reporter who writes about environmental issues in the Mississippi River watershed and across Wisconsin. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 5 ways you can reduce light pollution to better see starry skies
