Turning Out the Lights on Light Pollution

Writing in Smart Cities Dive, Kalena Thomhave describes the efforts being made by three communities to protect their night skies and become certified Dark Sky  Communities.

Earning the certification from DarkSky International can take years. Cities dedicated to the process, however, say it comes with a slew of benefits: They see not only the stars but also reduced energy consumption, lower electricity bills, healthier residents, improved environmental protection, increased ecotourism and even safer streets.

The certification program offers resources and information on the types of retrofits cities and towns can make to reduce light pollution while maintaining safety and security. Limiting glare can have benefits for people on the road, too. “Pedestrians and drivers on the road are less likely to be temporarily blinded by a bright light if it’s directed toward the ground properly.”

The three communities profiled in the article range from Bee Cave in the Texas Hill Country to a lakeside Indiana town and a Nevada city that hopes to boost ‘astrotourism’ to the area by keeping its nighttime conditions optimal for stargazing.