Time to pester your MEP's!

Hi folks,

One of the problems in getting legislation passed is that people want to look for a precedent. Although the UK has a light pollution Law and now IDA Slovenia have got through what seems an excellent law there is still no direction being given from an EU parliament level.

The upcoming 7th Symposium on the Night Sky in Slovenia hopes to address this by working on an EU directive to tackle the growing problem of light pollution. We will have several MEP's and representatives from several countries Environment ministries in attendance.

In the past couple of days our colleagues in the European sections of the International Dark Sky Association have been to Brussels and have distributed an information pack to all members of the European Parliament! Thats quite a task!

What we need you do do is to write to your MEP and explain why you think they should do something about light pollution. If you are stuck for ideas check out the letter that Keith Geary sent to the Minister for the Environment last year ( here ). Stress the cost and environmental benefits to better lighting. Please mention ILPAC and the European wide effort through the IDA Europe and by astronomers and environmentalists to make a change for better lighting. Please also urge them to support an EU directive on light pollution.

Click here for contact details for your MEP! Northern Ireland click here

Thanks!
~Albert

I've sent those emails.

Quick Q: who are IDA Europe?

I've sent those emails.

Quick Q: who are IDA Europe?

Thanks!

It's all the Light Pollution groups in Europe that are sections or affiliated to the International Dark Sky Association. So ILPAC, the BAA's Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS), etc.

Most of these groups have worked together before, in ILPAC's case for example we have always had close relations with our UK colleagues in the CfDS. However at the Last European Symposium on Light Pollution in Portsmouth the grouping got a little more formal and also received financial assistance from the IDA headquarters in Arizona. This was out of a recognition that we needed to have a more coordinated approach in Europe.

The last meeting of IDA Europe leaders was just a few weeks ago in Brussels, Terry Mosley attended on behalf of Ireland.

Cheers,
~Albert

Thanks for clearing that up! I'll post when I get a reply from the MEPs.

Here was my letter, feel free to modify etc. but please add in Please mention ILPAC and the European wide effort through the IDA Europe as I neglected to.

Minister [INSERT MINISTER'S NAME],

I realise you are busy but am writing to you on the urgent matter of Light Pollution across Europe. Currently there is NO LEGISLATION at an EU level on this matter.

Only the UK (Note 1) and (notably) the Republic of Slovenia (Note 2) have any legislation. As I'm sure you are aware, in Ireland, An Taisce have a policy on this and practically a lot can be done: "FCO lighting" (Note 3) is a good example.

The Irish Dark Sky is part of our shared Culture. Its also an economic asset that we could market (I have met many people from the continent who travel to Ireland to enjoy the night sky...you might think this is a niche market but so is golf!). Also, and obviously, Light Pollution is a waste of energy (Note 3).

What is your own position on this Minister [INSERT MINISTER'S NAME]? Can I ask for a commitment from you that you will working towards legislation in this regard - for example, implementing FCO lighting on new stretches of road across Europe and new housing estates etc.? In Europe as a whole, a policy is no good we need LEGISLATION and ENFORCEMENT.

It's all about trying to get "quality of life" nowadays. I grew up in the countryside and have seen it change immensely over the years. I suspect you went into politics to make a difference - I realise you are extremely busy but the above environmental issues are something that needs addressing urgently.

Keep up the good work!

(1) UK: a new bill called the "Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005"
www.defra.gov.uk/Environment/localenv/le...ation/cnea/index.htm

(2) The Republic of Slovenia adopted its first light pollution law on August 30, 2007. The new law is the result of successful coordination between Slovenia's Environment Ministry and the Government Office for Growth, among other departments, as well as lighting experts and environmentalists. It makes Slovenia one of the EU countries leading efforts at light regulation.
www.darksky.org/news/press-2007-08-31.php

(3) Outstanding example of the effects of FCO Lighting
www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic.php?t=4904

- [INSERT YOUR NAME]

Hi,

Heres a to-the-point letter template for MEP's from Bob Mizon of the CfDS:

To all MEPs: a new directive against energy waste? - your chance to save energy and money for your constituents
Dear……..MEP
You should by now have received information about the European Dark-Sky Symposium in Bled, Slovenia, on October 5-6 2007. One of the aims of this international environmental event is the establishment of a European legislative directive, with a view to reversing the tide of light pollution. Wasted light has robbed most of Europe’s citizens of a view of the night sky over the last decades, and costs us vast amounts of energy and money, with deleterious effects on our wildlife.
Light pollution wastes as much as 1700 million Euros a year in Europe, and I am sure you will agree that it is high time for it to be controlled. The environmental problem of light pollution can only be solved by Europe-wide action at the highest level. I trust that you will support a European directive on this subject.
Yours sincerely..........

I have a reply from Brian Crowley: I'll give Mr. Dimas a month to reply and then ask Brian what the story is. Sounds fair?

Dear Seán

Thank you for your email of September 27th last regarding the important subject of Light Pollution which I wasn't previously aware of. However, I have written to the European Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Stavros Dimas, to ask if there is any proposed legislation on this matter and I have taken the liberty of sending him on the examples that you have laid out.

I will get in touch again when I hear further on the matter.

Kind regards
Is mise le meas

Brian Crowley MEP
President U.E.N. Group
Leader F.F. in Europe

Maryborough Lodge, Maryborough Hill
Douglas
Cork, Ireland
Tel +353 (21) 4896 433 Fax +353 (21) 4896 401
Email: briancrowleymep@eircom.net
www.briancrowleymep.ie