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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Light PollutionBy Mike Little This week I want to look at another natural treasure that can be harmed by development. Go outside on a clear night and look up at the myriad of galaxies and stars — you can see forever. This is one of the reasons we live here in Maine, to be able to see the stars and beyond. Look up at the sky from the Concourse in Waterville — how many galaxies are you able to see? What you are experiencing is "light pollution" — all those non-directional streetlights, parking lot lights, backyard lights. Sky glow over lakes in more urban areas can reach the amplitude of 66% of the light of a full moon — that is every night! You don't have to go into town to experience this. How does the lighting around your house or camp measure up? Are you cutting yourself off from the glory of the galaxies? Do you really need everything lit up? There is another effect of light pollution. It can disrupt movements of animals — it is well known that hatchling sea turtles head for the brightest sky, unfortunately these days that is away from the water and toward roads and parking lots. Closer to home, studies have shown that sky glow effects zooplankton migration. These critters rise up in the water column every night toward the surface to feed on algae. If it is too bright, they do not rise as high, allowing the algae in the surface waters to proliferate. What can you do? Use lighting that is directed downward and shielded from dissipating upward — this is also a more efficient use of your electric dollars. Use motion detectors to turn lights on when needed. Let's keep the skies visible for all of us! Mike Little is executive director of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance. He can be contacted at | ||