5 Questions About Dark Skies

Q&A

5 Questions About Dark Skies

A Q&A with PHILIP WALKER

STORY BY LORIE A. WOODWARD

With its exploding population, Texas is experiencing a host of growing pains. Some are obvious, like urban sprawl and increasing water scarcity, while others like light pollution and its disruption of our once dark night skies escape notice. That is changing, though.

Every year scientists are discovering more roles dark night skies play in the healthy functioning of plants, animals and humans. As the importance of dark skies has become increasingly obvious, it has prompted efforts to actively conserve them. In Texas, the charge to keep “the stars big and bright” is being led by DarkSky Texas.

I sat down with Philip Walker, a conservation-minded West Texas rancher who also serves as South Texas Regional Manager for DarkSky Texas, to shine some light on the importance of our night skies.

1. What is DarkSky Texas?

PW: DarkSky Texas, a non-profit organization that has been operating for 25 years, is the Lone Star State’s only chapter of The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). DarkSky Texas exists to promote the use of better lighting to help restore our view of the nighttime sky and save energy, while improving the safety and well-being of both people and wildlife.

2. Why are unpolluted night skies important?

PW: All life on the planet evolved with a twophase day: one governed by the sun and light and the other governed by the moon, stars and darkness. As such, darkness plays a role in our heritage, our health and our quality of life.

From earliest times, humanity’s literature and music have celebrated the mysteries of the night. We used the North Star and constellations to navigate the unknown seas. Humans, like animals, are regulated by circadian rhythms. We need sleep as surely as we need activity. Because we, as a species, developed under the moon and stars we feel a longing for those familiar guideposts when they are obscured and unavailable.

In the wildlife world, animals, birds and insects rely on dark skies to guide migration. Artificial light disrupts their inner navigation systems. Scientists have found birds dead on city sidewalks where the artificial light attracted them and prompted them to circle the buildings instead of flying through the night. Artificial light can prevent hatchling sea turtles from making their way from the sand into the surf. And the list goes on and on.

3. Are there any other benefits to properly managing artificial light?

PW: The key, as your question pointed out, is proper management. We need artificial light, but by properly managing that light we can save money, avoid light trespass, improve our aesthetics and enhance our personal security. Approximately 35 percent of light is wasted by unshielded or poorly aimed outdoor lighting shining up into the sky, which adds up to about $3 billion in energy lost to light pollution. To make matters worse, about 15 million tons of carbon dioxide is emitted by powering that wasted outdoor lighting causing direct harm to the environment. It is estimated that billions of dollars in energy costs are wasted each year in outdoor lighting that shines into the sky instead of onto the ground where it is useful. Using the right fixtures, directing the right type of light in the right direction and using devices such as motion detectors can not only save money but reduce artificial light’s negative impacts.

All property owners deserve to enjoy their property without neighboring light sources intruding. The simple fixes I mentioned above can help prevent light trespass.

Warm, non-glaring light pointed at the ground is more welcoming and appealing than cold, blue lights glaring into the sky and into people’s eyes. Plus, warm light directed into the shadows provides better security because it helps illuminate those spaces instead of creating a harsh, glaring contrast that our eyes struggle to overcome because we are temporarily blinded.

4. As a property owner, how can I do my part to conserve our night skies?

PW: The good news is that light pollution is the easiest type of pollution to remedy. It just takes adherence to the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, which can be summarized as useful, targeted, low-light levels, controlled and color.

Light should be useful, meaning it should have a clear need and purpose. Before installing any additional light consider how it will impact the area including wildlife and the environment.

Light should be targeted and directed only to where it’s needed. Point lights down and ensure they don’t spill beyond where they’re needed. Use low-level light that is no brighter than necessary. Be aware that some surfaces may reflect more light into the night sky than intended.

Light should be controlled and used only when it’s necessary and useful. Use controls such as timers or motion detectors to ensure light is available when it is needed, dimmed when possible, and turned off when not needed.

Choose the right color light, which means warmer color lights—2,700 Kelvin or less— where possible. In other words, limit the amount of shorter wavelength (blue-violet) light to the least amount needed.

5. If I take the steps to protect our night skies are there any advantages other than the satisfaction of having done my part?

PW: You could earn our BE A STAR Award, which rewards landowners who contribute to conservation efforts by protecting the night sky. The self-assessment program encourages landowners to evaluate their outdoor lighting using the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting to keep the light they need while eliminating glare, light trespass and excess light on their property.

In recent years, dark skies have become an effective and recognized attraction for nature tourists. This designation can be another facet in landowners’ ecotourism efforts. People are drawn to places where the stars at night, shine big and bright. . . deep in the heart of Texas.

Scientists are discovering more roles dark night skies play in the healthy functioning of plants, animals and humans. As the importance of dark skies has become increasingly obvious, it has prompted efforts to actively conserve them.