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Small children fear darkness, crying at the possibility of bad guys hiding under the bed or monsters in the closet. These imaginings are usually erased by hugs, reassurances and under-thebed inspections. When my boys were small, I used room spray to banish bad guys and monsters. In some cases, an invitation to spend the night in mom’s and dad’s room calms the frightened child…or perhaps a warm place in the parents’ bed was the goal all along.
As a Dallas kid, my first trip to summer camp was a time of revelations. Not the least of these was looking up into the darkness, only to discover (with child-like wonder) the literally billions of stars not visible in our backyard back home. That was probably my first realization of how light pollution diminishes what we can see in the night sky. However, at the time — late ‘50s or early ‘60s — we had no terms to describe what we now call “light pollution.”
Camping trips with the family when I became a mom only underscored the impact of light pollution on our natural world. I remember sitting (or lying on blankets), looking up at the sky in the intense darkness of rural America. It was an incredible feeling, being literally awed by the reality of what we couldn’t see in the city.
Camp grounds, where there were no streetlights, were places we were truly able to see and enjoy the vastness and beauty of the Universe and the perspective it offered — like being such tiny specks in the big picture of the world.
In 1988, the International Dark-Sky Association has led the global movement to protect the night from light pollution. It’s message and programs now reach more than 51 countries with members, advocates, and dark sky places on every inhabited continent.
This Association empowers a global volunteer network that supports a worldwide dark sky movement. It promotes eco-friendly outdoor lighting and educates policymakers and the public about the importance of nighttime conservation.
So, why is light pollution an issue?
According to a spokesperson for the Dark-Sky Association, light pollution:
(1) devastates wildlife because plants and animals depend on the Earth’s daily light-dark cycle for behaviors, such as times for eating, sleeping and blending into the environment -- all times dependent on light and dark periods.
(2) wastes energy and money. As much as 50 percent of outdoor lighting is wasted while increasing greenhouse gas emissions. These, in turn, contribute to climate change and our energy dependence.
(3) robs us of our heritage, i.e., our ancestors experienced a dark sky that inspired science, religion, philosophy, art and literature. Today’s generations will never know the wonder of seeing the Milky Way.
(4) makes us less safe, at least in our own minds, because there is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime.
(5) harms your health. Why? Studies suggest artificial light increases our risks for obesity, sleep disorders, diabetes and other issues.
The good news? Light pollution is reversible!
Unlike other forms of environmental pollution, light pollution is a prob lem that can be resolved by low-cost solutions easily implemented -- like turning off any extra lights, inside our homes and outside of them, as well.
Thanks to efforts by Dark-Sky Association volunteers, there are hundreds of success stories as well as more than 1000 dark-sky certified lighting fixtures available in the U.S. marketplace.
As far as success stories?
In 2018, Tucson, Arizona, (population 500,000) upgraded its streetlights; and, by doing so, Tucson saved $2.2 million per year in energy costs. It also reduced Tucson’s light pollution by 7 percent.
Dripping Springs, we can proudly say, has been aware of the impact of modern-day lighting and has worked, continually, to maintain our Dark-Sky designation. In 2014, Dripping Springs was the first city in Texas to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community, and the sixth one in the world. Since then, the City and its residents and business partners have diligently maintained that unique distinction. We're extremely proud of our beautiful night sky. It's one of the things that makes Dripping Springs the best little city in Texas!
The second part of our city’s efforts to mitigate light pollution is happening this month.
All across America, birds are migrating to their new homes. To help in the migration, the City of Dripping Springs is once again launching Lights Out Dripping Springs, asking residents and businesses to take a pledge to turn off exterior lights during April.
From hummingbirds and warblers to sparrows and geese, millions of birds migrate across North America every year, covering hundreds to thousands of miles. Most of these birds make their journey at night, visualizing the magnetic pull of the earth and using the moon and stars to set their course. By taking part in Lights Out Dripping Springs and reducing skyglow over Dripping Springs, residents and businesses can help them make it to their destinations safely.
Next up — on April 7 of this year, the following was announced: “The world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve is coming to Texas and Mexico, thanks to a partnership between The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory, The Nature Conservancy, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and many others. The new Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve will encompass more than 15,000 square miles in portions of western Texas and northern Mexico. It is the only such reserve to cross an international border.
"This reserve protects both the scientific research and public education missions of McDonald Observatory," said Taft Armandroff, director of UT Austin's McDonald Observatory. ‘Since 1939, the observatory has enabled the study of the cosmos by faculty, students and researchers at UT Austin and other Texas institutions of higher learning, with topics ranging from planets orbiting nearby stars to the accelerating expansion of the universe.’
“The core of the reserve, where the protection for dark skies is strongest, is formed by the lands of McDonald Observatory and The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve. The reserve will protect numerous wildlife habitats and migration corridors passing through the Big Bend region.”
PS: Texas has 17 Certified Dark Sky Parks, so bring your telescopes!
