How to Reduce Light Pollution ?

Meet Star Gazers

In this episode I have the privilege of interviewing Deborah Moran, an exemplary defender of dark skies based in Houston, Texas on her experiences and recommendations for reduction in light pollution.

Time stamps :

• 02:56 What is light pollution ?
• 03:56 What are the effects of light pollution on human health ?
• 05:36 What are the principles of good lighting ?
• 06:40 What is the LED ? What are its characteristics ? What makes it different as a light source compared to other sources of street lighting ?
• 08:45 Which types of LED are acceptable for street lighting and which are not ?
• 09:45 Can dimming improve the quality of lighting ?
• 10:50 What is glare ?
• 11:38 What is veiling luminance ?
• 12:00 What is correlated colour temperature CCT ?
• 13:28 Which light is the most comfortable to look at ? How can we reduce glare ?
• 14:32 Why is white light not natural during the night ?
• 16:33 What is the recommended correlated colour temperature CCT for street lights ?
• 18:59 Does light pollution affect trees and plants ?
• 19:53 What is the effect of light pollution on pollination ?
• 20:26 What are the harmful effects of light pollution on sea turtles ?
• 21:34 What are the effects of light pollution on bird migration ?
• 23:05 What are the effects of light pollution on bats ?
• 24:07 What is the reason behind the grass hopper invasion of Las Vegas ?
• 25:55 Challenges faced in dark sky advocacy
• 28:47 What are common myths and misconceptions about good lighting ?
• 30:00 Benchmarks of good lighting
• 34:06 Resources consolidated on Softlight Houston that could be useful to other dark sky advocates. How should other dark sky advocates use these resources effectively ?
• 39:20 What are the opportunities for further reduction in light pollution ?

Useful links and resources :

• Softlight Houston
• The Light Emiting Diode (LED): Where did it come from ?
• Cree RSW ad for warmer lower glare LED street lighting
• Houston news story on migrating birds and light
• San Rafael residents say new LED street lights are blinding
• Grass hopper invasion of Las Vegas
• Light pollution map (website)
• Light pollution map (mobile app)
• International Dark Sky Association

If you liked this episode, please consider buying me a coffee.