“LIGHTS Out Uxbridge” Campaign targets light pollution and its fallout

by Barbara Samuels

UXBRIDGE: It’s time to hit that switch. The expansion of ALAN (Artificial Light at Night) right across the globe is taking a heavy toll on our wallets, our health, and all the living organisms with which we share the planet. The annual “Lights Out” campaign is a response to that toll, a pledge-based program, designed to raise public awareness and reduce the impact of ALAN through individual action. Its message is simple: by turning off unnecessary lighting in and around homes, businesses, schools and farms, you can make a difference.

The Bird Friendly Uxbridge Team is leading the “Lights out Uxbridge” campaign because ALAN confuses migrating birds and leads to billions of bird deaths across the world, through window collisions. It’s equally deadly to the insects which feed our birds and pollinate our plants.

However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. ALAN affects all living organisms at the molecular, physiological, behavioural and ecological levels. It disrupts foraging and feeding behaviour, alters biological rhythms, causes mistimed reproductive behaviour, and spikes stress hormone levels. In humans, it increases our risk of chronic disease and cancer.

It’s likely the most drastic change we’ve caused to our natural environment. Between April 1st and November 1st, each of us can reduce the impact of ALAN in our immediate environment, by switching off decorative exterior lighting, turning off interior lighting, when not in use, “down-shielding” essential exterior lighting and installing motion-sensors. Critically, LED illumination, greater than 2700K, should be avoided, the cool-temperature, “whiter” LEDS are most harmful to insects, animals and us.

So lights out, Uxbridge. Let’s take back the night.

To sign the pledge, visit https://forms.gle/JHbGJVjJDmyE2vXJ9.