Mar 3 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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Light pollution is an environmental concern that has received increased attention as we become more aware of our surroundings. The lighting industry generally focuses on providing more light, but in some cases, especially with outdoor lighting, we need to focus on providing just enough light.

Environmentalists and astronomers have been teaming up to communicate their shared concerns about light pollution. Frogs, birds, sea turtles, and fireflies are just some of the animals whose biological systems are triggered by changes in nighttime brightness. The excess light interferes with their ability to interpret their surroundings. Astronomers decry the loss in visibility of our nighttime skies citing a statistic that most Americans are unable to see the Milky Way from their backyards.

The main trick to preventing light pollution is to direct the light from the fixtures downward or sidewards. If you want to use unshielded fixtures like globes, then use them as accent lights with low wattage bulbs, not security installations. For security lighting, the International Dark Sky Association suggests using motion sensor lights that aid detection without creating a constant glare.

Lighting entryways, gardens, and paths with dark sky approved fixtures is an easy way to help the environment. Check out our selection of outdoor fixtures designed to comply with the Dark Sky specifications:



Have you checked what ordinances there are in your area?