![]() From simply sharing useful information on social media or changing a lightbulb, to participating in a photography contest, astronomy club, or similar community events, citizen science data collection, educational activities for any age group, or advocacy for long-term improvements to lighting infrastructure, chances are that you can readily make a valuable contribution. Even better, because our connections to the night sky are deep and diverse, so too are the areas of opportunity, covering a wide range of topics at multiple levels to accommodate almost any interest and level of effort or ability. The good news is that awareness about light pollution is growing, along with effective solutions and success stories. It is a huge waste that comes with significant pollution and economic costs. There are estimates that lighting accounts for 15 percent of global electricity consumption and 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. What goes unseen is the extent that nighttime lighting wastes vast amounts of money and energy (typically in the form of electricity generated from burning fossil fuels), damages ecosystems, and detrimentally affects our own health. Instead, particularly in urban areas, we have come to expect and admire bright lights at night. With a lack of understanding and appreciation for the night sky, most have failed to consider the costs and consequences of turning darkness into light. But the practice has grown to destructive extremes in modern societies. ![]() At the minimal level, we do this instinctively for our survival and protection. ![]() People light up the night almost without thinking, as we have for millennia. ![]()
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