The public pretty much trusts that local, state and federal governments are working on their behalf to keep us safe. In the case of light pollution, it seems as though the Gatekeepers are sleeping.
The EPA and PA DEP, have a couple items written by employees about controlling light but aside from that, there is no vision, policy, research, testing or plans for regulation of light as a pollutant. Legions of blue-rich LEDs installed in so many commercial, municipal environments have been put in place without so much the slightest consideration of their proven effects on humans and the environment. These devices (including the blue-phospher headlamps on vehicles) have not been tested/rated on health, safety or environmental effects. Because of energy savings, these devices are just let loose on the public, when in effect, the increase in device numbers, intensity and unlimited operating hours make the energy savings non-existent.
People that we trust to protect us are sleeping on the job.
Lighting consultants and their companies sell lights. No hippocratic oath that goes along with their work. Developers are a proven lot to discard environmental concerns over profit. A large majority of commercial companies on earth will sacrifice the environment and the public for profit. The public, we the people, are the ones on whom the consequences come to roost.
So I’m asking for the Gatekeepers to wake up. This wake-up call shouldn’t be my job to do. There are other, more enjoyable missions for me to embark on. But, for the moment, do I use one lantern or two? How about a laser pointer?
Paul Revere’s Ride – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Night Lights 