News / Dark Skies
Metro mayor urges households and businesses to ‘turn off lights at night’
Light pollution is obliterating starry skies, disrupting sleep and harming wildlife, and it’s time ministers tackled it “once and for all” says West of England mayor Dan Norris.
In one month, on March 23, people will turn ‘lights off for the planet’ as part of the global Earth Hour campaign that has run annually since 2007.
But Norris is urging businesses and households to adopt the practice year-round to reduce light pollution that is harmful to insects, bats, mammals and the ecosystems they rely on.
is needed now More than ever
Metro Mayor Dan Norris launched his Dark Skies campaign at the Herschel Museum in Bath – photo: WECA
Light pollution refers to the excessive use of Artificial Light At Night, or ALAN. The problem has increased 10 per cent worldwide every year since 2011 and disrupts human sleep patterns as well as wildlife behaviours.
Norris said: “I’m urging everyone to help me tackle light pollution in the West of England. Every simple measure, like turning off those unnecessary lights and shutting curtains and blinds when we turn on lights indoors, will prevent light from spilling into our gardens and wild places.”
He’s calling for the UK to join countries such as France and South Korea in legislating to protect nightscapes with better-designed lighting and streetlight dimming schemes.
The West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a region-wide plan to restore nature due to launch in summer 2024, suggests adding colour filters to LED streetlights, and minimising lighting on the road network where it’s safe.
Norris recently launched this year’s £1m Pollinator Fund and his Bee Bold awards which celebrate organisations working to support pollinators, such as last year’s winners Wheatfield Primary School in Bradley Stoke – photo: WECA
Butterfly Conservation, a charity that will soon be implementing dedicated Wild Spaces in schools across Bristol, highlights the damaging impact of artificial light on the UK’s 2,500 moth species.
Their research found that moth caterpillar numbers under LED light were 52% lower in hedgerows and 43% lower on grass verges compared to those which were unlit.
Their guide provides advice on how to reduce household light pollution.
Alongside the benefits to wildlife, Norris says switching off lights will save energy and allow more people to enjoy “one of the natural world’s most magical sights – a truly dark sky blanketed with stars.”
Earth Hour enables cities around the globe to experience dark skies, as households turn off their lights at 8.30pm and enjoy the novelty of an hour of darkness.
WWF designed the symbolic event to demonstrate a collective support for the planet, and hope it will encourage people to consider their energy use.
Last year, over 410,000 households took part from 190 countries and territories. Bristol University, local schools and community groups have previously joined the action, with climate change-focused teaching sessions and candlelit concerts some of the activities taking place.
This piece of independent journalism is supported by the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
Main photo: WECA
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