Light pollution legal aspects

It is not an overstatement to say that artificial light at night is now one of the biggest threats to our ecology. We are already seeing a global decline in insect populations which will ultimately harm the pollination of plants, threatening biodiversity and food security. Though the use of pesticides and other atmospheric pollutants may be partly to blame, it is now recognised that artificial light at night can be a significant factor.

There is also mounting evidence of the negative impacts of artificial light at night on many other species, including endangered bats, marine life, and indeed humans. Added to this catalogue is the fact that light pollution prevents us from seeing the night sky in its natural form, depriving us of an important primeval connection.

The good news is that we can reverse the damage if we act now. Nature has a wonderful way of recovering itself once conditions allow, and we have seen many success stories of species numbers that were in decline increasing once more as a result of conservation efforts around the world. What’s more, the impacts of these interventions can be seen very quickly.

As lighting professionals, we have the power to undo the damage, but we cannot do it alone. The lighting industry has already started to respond, but this is bigger than us, and it is a global problem. Tackling it requires collaboration between policy makers, scientists, urban planners and others, as well as international cooperation.

When Dr Zielinska-Dabkowska approached the Society of Light and Lighting with her proposal for an international conference on the subject of Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night, we knew that this was an important opportunity to act. This conference is a significant first step in creating a platform for speakers from a range of disciplines, so that we can both understand the scale of the problem and agree solutions. The presentations cover diverse topics, bringing the opportunity to hear about fields of study which are highly relevant to lighting but have historically not been shared within the lighting community.

The rarity of this opportunity is all the more reason to harness it; we have to begin to speak to each other and find a common language and framework for action.

The programme brings together more than 30 speakers from 12 countries, with insights from the worlds of lighting design, environmental science, biology, astronomy, medical science and law. There are four dedicated sessions:

1 Losing our dark nights 2 Best lighting practice(s) to reduce light pollution 3 Light pollution legal aspects 4 The impact of light exposure at night on the environment and humans

The ROLAN 2022 conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to come together and hear the latest findings from researchers in this field, who represent a range of disciplines that do not often share a platform. There are also some great opportunities to network with individuals from across the lighting industry and the built environment, as well as ecologists and policy makers. I am proud of what we have planned and excited to be able to offer this opportunity, not just to members, but to anyone with an interest in this subject. I hope to see many of you there.

Ruth Kelly Waskett, FSLL, is the current president of the SLL and senior associate in the lighting team at Hoare Lea. She is a regular contributor to SLL guidance and a visiting lecturer at UCL, with involvement in the MSc Light and Lighting, and the MEng Architectural and Engineering Design courses

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ROLAN INTRODUCTION 1 Karolina M Zielinska- Dabkowska on the need for a paradigm shift in exterior lighting ROLAN INTRODUCTION 2 Ruth Kelly Waskett explains why the conference is an unparalleled opportunity for change DARK SKIES: WHY EVERYONE SHOULD CARE Will we be the first generation to break the never-ending cycle of increasing light pollution? asks Ruskin Hartley EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE Mark Major suggests 10 ways that lighting practitioners in the public realm can help ensure responsible lighting at night LED STREET LIGHTING: THE HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS The arguments for solid-state lighting are powerful, says Dr Mario E Motta, but there are compelling reasons for more care in its use

LIGHT POLLUTION: A GLOBAL PROBLEM The natural night is at risk without tougher measures to curb exterior artificial lighting, argues Fabio Falchi SPOTLIGHT ON NATURE A bright future should not necessarily be brighter, contends Franz Hölker

ROLAN CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

CONFERENCE PARTNERS

COVER: From humans to fragile fauna, every aspect of life on Earth is affected by ill-considered or excessive artificial light: fireflies cannot 'see' each other, and therefore procreate, because of light pollution

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