letter in local paper

Copy of letter in local paper in Waterford, just thought that the ILPAC might like to send in a reply

Paper's ulr is www.waterford-today.ie/

(the letter is not on the website so I typed it in here word for word, hope this is ok)

Light Pollution?

Williamstown,
Waterford.
Dear Editor,
In this age of environmentally conscious people and eager to please legislators, I would like to highlight an increasing and stealth like problem known as "Light Pollution".
The pollution is responsible for the orange glow in the sky seen above cities and towns and is easily rectified by fitting deflectors or filters to streetlights.
So to anyone who has an intrest in astronomy or an appreciation for clear night skies to ask their local councillors to address the problem.

Yours etc.
William Denn

Thanks. I'll send a reply tonight.

Dear Editor,

Regarding William Denn's letter in `Waterford Today` on Friday 16th. The problem of light pollution not only effects astronomers, it has been shown to have a detrimental impact on the environment and at times a fatal impact on wildlife.

Reducing light pollution also saves money, which is something readers may like to mention to local councilors! The city council of Calgary, Canada is in the process of replacing all its streetlights with non polluting fixtures and expects this work to have paid for itself in three to four years. The reduced electricity costs of the new lights will be saving millions of dollars for the Canadian taxpayers in the coming years.

Home and business owners can also play an important part in reducing light pollution by ensuring that any security lighting is directed so that no light can be seen above the horizon. The Institute of lighting engineers recommends that only 150W lamps be used rather than the 500W commonly sold for security lighting. Many people will be able to reduce the running costs of security lights by two thirds by following these practices, and there would be no compromise to the premises security.

The Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign ( www.irishastronomy.org/ilpac ) is campaigning nationally to reduce light pollution, and will be happy to provide more information for those interested.

Dark Skies,
Albert White
--
Deputy Chairperson,
Irish Light Pollution Awareness Campaign,
Irish Section – International Dark Sky Association
www.irishastronomy.org/ilpac

Albert,

I'll let you know when/if it is printed.

Keep up the good work

Conor

Albert, and others,
would it be possible for you to send on that letter (though slightly modified of course) to as many of the regional papers in the Republic as possible? In TAS, we are currently trying to show the County Council what it means by Light Pollution, because the proposed Tullamore by-pass is to run adjacent to the field where we have our observatory (despite WIDESPREAD opposition against the by-pass).
If there was an actual ILPAC-headed letter to local papers where members of local astronomical societies were to contact those same papers, surely that might lend some support when 2 organisations/bodies from 2 backgrounds (astronomy, and environment) show their concern?

In my opinion, this awareness will depend upon numbers taking part, and I don't mean the €€€'s!



Seanie.

Seanie,

The push to construct new roads at the moment is such that local opposition has little effect. Simply saying no to a new road may not be enough to stop it. It may be better to look for reasons why the road should not come near the observatory.

As the club have an observatory nearby, only FCO (full cut off) lighting should be installed and even at that the lighting should be kept to a minimum. This is in accordance with the British Standard for lighting design that all local authorities, design consultants etc have to comply with. It may be prudent to make the local road design office aware of the club's observatory and the detremintal effects that the road would have. The earlier they are informed of this, the easier it is for them to take it into consideration in their design.

However, part of the problem will also be vehicular lighting. It may be possible for them to install landscaping works to help mitigate against this. Planting evergreen trees such as spruce etc either siade of the road would help to funnel the light and minimise scatter.

How advanced is the proposals for building the bypass? PM me any details you have about it and I'll look into it a bit further.

Michael

Hi,

We could do but I really want to avoid coming across as some Jackeen telling people what to do!

Where local groups are doing something I've no problem sriting a submission or sending letters, but for local councils its better for this to come initially from local people IMHO. Seanie, I'll send you some printouts of some ILPAC stuff that may be of use. If you can send me any planning details on the bypass I'll write a submission, or co-write one with TAS if you prefer.

Cheers,
~Al