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"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself." -Verlyn Klinkenborg, "Our Vanishing Night," National Geographic magazine, November 2008 |
EPA Seeks Summer Intern to study light pollution. Find out more>>
IDA Announces 2010 Board of Directors
Tucson, Arizona - 21 January 2010, The International Dark-Sky Association welcomes two new members to the IDA Board of Directors.
Debra Norvil, an environmental compliance engineer and grassroots outdoor lighting advocate in the Chicago, Illinois area and Massachusetts public health advocate Dr. Mario Motta will join returning Board President Christian Monrad, P.E., LEED AP, and members Paul Ericson, PE, LC, IALD and Jim Benya, PE FIES FIALD LC, in serving a three year term starting February 2010. Ms. Norvil, Mr. Monrad, and Mr. Ericson were elected to the Board of Directors by IDA members; Dr. Motta and Mr. Benya were appointed by the IDA Board of Directors in accordance with IDA bylaws.
Read the full press release >>
Dan Brocious Leaves the BOD
Board member Dan Brocious is stepping down after 17 years of dedicated service. He has been a Board member since 1992 and has served in the office of secretary since 2008. Mr. Brocious is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, and has eloquently and persistently represented the dark sky interests of southern Arizona observatories before local and state governments. In 2008 he testified at LED billboard hearings in Phoenix, Arizona. This prescient action helped establish curfews and maximum luminance levels, curtailing the unchecked growth of this means of advertisement that afflicts many cities today. Past President Bob Gent notes, "Dan was instrumental in getting the 2005 Cochise County [Arizona] lighting ordinance update passed unanimously."
Heartfelt thanks to Mr. Brocious, whose early efforts to raise awareness of light pollution have laid the groundwork for ongoing dark sky protection. He will continue his post as public information officer for the Smithsonian Institution’s Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory at Mount Hopkins, Arizona, where he will remain an invaluable public educator on the importance of dark skies.
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Light Pollution Animation Now Available Send the message that light pollution can be avoided with these clever animated videos courtesy of www.need-less.org.uk
Try your hand at lighting design! View the light pollution simulator here >> |
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Thank you for your 2009 donations! Your generosity enables campaigns to protect the darkness for generations to come.
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Dark Sky Updates ...
Environmental Health Perspectives Looks at Blue Light David Holzman examines the unique properties of blue light and the significance to human health. Read more >>
Chicago Area Conference: Manmade Light at Night Dr. Steven Lockley and IDA's own Pete Strasser will speak at the symposium sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting and Lewis University. Read more >>
KUER Radio: Rangers Make the Case for Dark Skies The National Park Service Night Sky Team reveals benefits and conservation efforts of natural night skies. Listen now >>
UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution releases short report on Artificial Light in the Environment The report concludes that at the very least lighting should be removed from all motorways except at junctions and from many urban parks and suggests that city centers be “dimmed” to reduce glare. This information is a tremendous leap forward in the protection of the night through thoughtful, ecologically sensible outdoor lighting. Read the report >>
EnergyStar to Adopt Full Shielding Criteria for Outdoor LED Products A report released by the U.S. Department of Energy on 08 October specified that LED exterior lighting fixtures must emit no light above 90 degrees to receive EnergyStar certification. Adoption of criteria that limits uplight for the growing field of LED fixtures will significantly reduce sky glow and curtail energy waste. This proposal will go under final review, receiving official declaration in 4 to 6 weeks, according to Richard Karney, director of the program for the DOE. See Department of Energy presentation >>
IDA Congressional Briefings Illuminate Outdoor Lighting Choices On Monday, 13 July and Tuesday, 14 July, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) conducted informational briefings for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. This year, topics included the possible impacts of current legislation. Both briefings were well attended by legislators and Congressional aides. Read more >>
American Medical Association Officially Supports Light Pollution Reduction! On 15 June, the American Medical Association adopted the support of energy efficient outdoor lighting technology into official AMA policy. This resolution is a monumental step toward IDA's goals of a natural sky. Read the original document >> Interactive Sky Viewer courtesy of Sky and Telescope magazine Now IDA members can discover celestial treasures anywhere they go. Learn about constellations and star positioning unique to your area at any time of night, all around the world, with our newly featured Star Charts >> (available to members only)
IDA in the News ...
See IDA Section podcasts on the Multimedia Links Page.
Washington Post Spotlights DC Office "Our message is simple," Parks said. "We want to create dialogues as to the negative effects of light pollution." Gregg MacDonald illuminates IDA's local and national action >>
The Anti-Bad-Light Movement Chris Baraniuk explains how the IDSPark Designation of Scotland's Galloway Forest Park is fueling a larger and ongoing movement in the UK in the article "Astronomers and lawyers join forces for light-conscious UK"
Dark Sides of Light Examined in EHP Article Environmental Health Perspectives, a peer-reviewed journal covering current issues of environmental safety, evaluates the risks of artificial light at night to humans and wildlife, then discusses practical solutions and IDA's role in finding the balance in two articles appearing in the January 2009 issue. Read "Missing the Dark: Health Effects of Light Pollution" by Ron Chepesiuk Read "Switch on the Night: Policies for Smarter Lighting" by Luz Claudio
Read the November, 2008 National Geographic Magazine cover story, "Our Vanishing Night" by Verlyn Klinkenborg
Supplementary materials:
New York Times Editorial Encourages Control of Light Pollution International news source The New York Times praises IDA and supports the ongoing effort to preserve starry nights in an editorial from the newspaper's board. Read editorial >>
Find Press Releases, Articles, Multimedia and More News >>
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The Campaign for Dark Skies Releases Light Pollution Handbook The British Astronomical Society's Campaign for Dark Skies has released a compact, informative handbook that thoughtfully covers all major issues of light pollution. Learn more or purchase a copy at the CfDS Web site. |
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