EARTH MATTERS: LIGHTS OUT

07 Feb EARTH MATTERS: LIGHTS OUT

Breathing Bike,©Cool Sparks

Pollution is a problem.

Water pollution can also cause problems in the ocean, like the dead zones I discussed in an earlier post (https://www.tellurideinside.com/2012/06/earth-matters-dead-zones-in-our-waters.html). In addition, I have written about the problem of marine debris and steps we can take to address it (https://www.tellurideinside.com/2012/09/earth-matters-take-on-the-trash.html).

My co-author Billy Mason has given talks at Prescott College about noise pollution in wilderness areas, and ocean noise pollution is also a serious problem for marine mammals and other species that navigate by sound. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in a project spearheaded by outgoing Administrator Jane Lubchenco, is mapping ocean noise (see the New York Times story on NOAA’s sound maps at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/science/project-seeks-to-map-and-reduce-ocean-noise-pollution.html?pagewanted=all).

But amidst all this troubling news, we are also seeing positive steps. One is France’s recent move to decrease light pollution while also saving energy (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/30/lights-out-france-shops-offices).

Starting in July, romantic moonlight walks in France will become even more romantic after one in the morning, when storefronts will have to turn off their window display lights. There will be exceptions granted for special events or for some cultural and tourist attractions, as well as for holidays like Christmas. In addition to stores, offices will have to shut off their lights no later than an hour after the last employee leaves.

In addition to the decrease in light pollution – which, as French ecology minister Delphine Batho notes, can cause sleep disruption and harm wildlife, the annual energy savings from turning out lights will be enough to power 750,000 French households.

Now that’s a bright idea.