Tucson, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/18/2014 -- Created in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow, International Dark Sky Week has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. Each year it is held in April around Earth Day and Astronomy Day. This year celebrations begin Sunday, April 20, and run through Saturday, April 26.

In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. … I want to help preserve its wonder."

International Dark Sky Week draws attention to the problems associated with light pollution and promotes simple solutions available to mitigate it.

Why Does Light Pollution Matter?

The nighttime environment is a crucial natural resource for all life on Earth, but the glow of uncontrolled outdoor lighting has hidden the stars, radically changing the nighttime environment.

Before the advent of electric light in the 20th century, humans experienced a night sky brimming with stars that inspired science, religion, philosophy, art and literature including some of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets.

The common heritage of a natural night sky is rapidly becoming unknown to the newest generations. In fact, millions of children across the globe will never see the Milky Way from their own homes.

Scientists are only just beginning to understand the negative repercussions of losing this natural resource. A growing body of research suggests that the loss of the natural nighttime environment is causing serious harm to human health and the environment.

For nocturnal animals in particular, the introduction of artificial light at night could very well be the most devastating change humans have made to their environment. Light pollution also has deleterious effects on other organisms such as migrating birds, sea turtle hatchlings, and insects.

Humans are not immune to the negative effects of light in their nighttime spaces. Excessive exposure to artificial light at night, particularly blue light, has been linked to increased risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes and breast cancer.

Isn't Nighttime Lighting Important for Safety & Security?

There is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime. It may make people feel safer but it does not make them safer. The truth is bad outdoor lighting can decrease safety by making victims and property easier to see.

Glare from overly bright, unshielded lighting creates shadows in which criminals can hide. It also shines directly into the eyes, constricting our pupils. This diminishes the ability of the human eye to adapt to low-light conditions and leads to poorer nighttime vision, dangerous to motorists and pedestrians alike.

Another serious side effect of light pollution is wasted energy. Wasted energy costs money, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and compromises energy security.

What Can Be Done?

The good news is that light pollution is reversible and its solutions are immediate, simple and cost-effective. Here are a few simple things that concerned citizens can do to confront the problem and take back the night:

- Check home lighting. Shield outdoor lighting, or at least angle it downward, to minimize “light trespass” beyond your property lines. Use light only when and where needed. Motion detectors and timers can help. Use only the amount of illumination required for the task at hand.
- Attend or throw a star party. Many astronomy clubs and International Dark Sky Places are celebrating the week by holding public events under the stars.
- Talk to neighbors. Explain that poorly shielded fixtures waste energy, produce glare and reduce visibility. Give them an IDA brochure from the IDA website.
- Become a Citizen Scientist with GLOBE at Night and document light pollution in your neighborhood and share the results. Doing so, contributes to a global database of light pollution measurements.
- Photograph the sky and enter the 2014 International Earth and Sky Photo Contest.
- Download, Watch, and Share "Losing the Dark," a public service announcement about light pollution. It can be downloaded for free and is available in 13 languages.
- Explore Online. Join IDA on Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #IDSW2014), and check out the IDA website, which features a different theme for each day of the week. Visit IDA daily and learn something new.

International Dark Sky Week Daily Themes
- Day 1 (Sunday, 4/20) – Why Light Pollution Matters. Get a basic overview of light pollution including what it is and how it happens.
- Day 2 (Monday, 4/21) – Ill Health. Learn how light at night can be dangerous to human health.
- Day 3 (Tuesday, 4/22) – Environmental Harms. See how light pollution puts animals and entire ecosystems at risk.
- Day 4 (Wednesday, 4/23) – Energy Waste. Find out how light pollution squanders energy and money and contributes to climate change.
- Day 5 (Thursday, 4/24) – Safety & Crime. Learn why more and brighter lights can actually make people less safe.
- Day 6 (Friday, 4/25) – Stars are Our Heritage. Discover why the night sky is important for humanity.
- Day 7 (Saturday, 4/26) – Take Action! Find out ways to simply and quickly make a difference.

About IDA
The International Dark Sky Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Tucson, Arizona. For 25 years, it has advocated for the protection of the nighttime environment and dark night skies by educating policymakers and the public about night sky conservation and promoting environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. More information about IDA and its mission may be found at http://www.darksky.org.

Media Inquiries
Cheryl Ann Bishop, IDA Communications and Public Affairs Director
520.293.3198 / cherylann@darksky.org