As I wander down the street on some ponderous nights, I wonder worthlessly Why all the light?
It may be a question that many people ask. I spend half of my time these days in the wilderness and the other portion in a medium-sized city. Experiencing such contrasting scenery in Montana gives me a unique perspective of the sky, the stars (and the satellites) at night. That's not to gloat. It's just the way things worked out. My full-time employer at the Conservation Corps and my own conscience permit me to camp out in the woods at night and see the natural sky...
And if all of the facts and figures in this post dry in your pores like sunscreen on a hot day, I hope you take this away with you. I hope you can, for a second or two, imagine a downtown villa on Earth without the neon, without the street lanterns and without the computers on standby mode. Imagine they're all unplugged from 12 in the morning till 6 in the morning. What effect would that have on our society?
There are those special humans out there who appreciate what I'd call 'the authentic night sky' so much so that they've chosen to fight for it.
The people at Starry Night Lights fit such a bill. And they've got some powerful prose and insightful stats to back up such a passion. They have somewhat commercialized the idea of conserving light.
I read this bit of lyrical shenanigans on their blog:
"Light Pollution comes in several flavors... each with its own negative effects."
But that's not what I'm interested in. We all know the chronically disastrous policies of municipal governments, local bed and breakfasts, national burger chains, and -- my personal favorite -- Super8 hotel's catch phrase "We'll leave the light on for ya."
Health and Conservation? Connected?
Artificial lighting on all night. Oftentimes I don't even focus on this malice, unnecessary bi-product of capitalism when I'm driving or biking down the hip-strip late at night. This was not the case tonight. Tonight it was like a perverse Blue man group show staring me right in the face. Tonight I decided to check the facts.
Treehugger.com reported in March that an Israeli scientist found that well-lit neighborhoods were connected to an increased-risk of breast cancer.
The findings of the study support the theory that exposure to too much light at night interferes with the production of a key hormone, melatonin, raising the risk of breast cancer.
Helena Montana, Tim McGee writes,
We have biologically evolved to be part of our environment, daylight hours included- so it is not surprising that when we detach ourselves from those mechanisms we end up feeling sick. Figuring out how to live a slower life, in sync with the world, may be one of the hardest goals to achieve- both personally and as a civilization- but it is one we will need to address sooner or later.
Economics and Conservation? Connected?
"Imagine a world...where the cost of waste is driving unnatural capitalism extinct. Where service providers, and their customers, prosper by doing more and better, with less for longer, so products become ever more efficient to make and to use."
--Amory Lovins, a man once described as the "top five" of the top ten energy experts in the world
"We are a growing country and everyone needs energy. We're not going to stay the United States if we start reducing energy usage. Conservation is not the answer."
--Rush Limbaugh, talk-show host
And yet Jackbenimble, who sits on an equivalent plateau of the political spectrum as Rush, will be the first to tell you not conserving is an unprofitable venture.
"I have no problem with conservation. I am very conservation minded when it makes economic sense. I heat my swimming pool with solar rather than natural gas because it is an economic winner."
This following a blurb in April in which he wrote, I'm all for solar because every little bit helps. But realistically it is hard to image that it will every be more than a minor fraction of our total energy needs unless we accept a much lower standard of living and the mass starvation that will accompany the energy cuts.
I guess I wonder how turning off idle machines at night, which consume over half of the 53 billion kilowatt hours of power that business computers use (~$3 billion annually) according to the U.S. Department of Energy, will contribute to a lower standard of living. It's been proven: saving fuel is cheaper than buying fuel. Why can't the same be true of electricity?
Or as Lovins puts it, "In 48 states, we reward electric utilities for selling us more electricity and penalize them for cutting our bill. We do that in 40 states with natural gas. That's dumb as a possum, and we need to stop doing it."
All Talk, No Action?
My part-time employer at the record shop is conserving more. We've initiated a recycling program for cans and bottles. On the electricity supply side, it's not nearly as efficient. We keep the neon signs and a light in the middle of the store on all night, every night. I plan on having a conversation with him about that. I submit that each blogger on ProU has a responsibility to take up a similar discussion with your own employer.
There's no need to shout and yell or get sacked. Remember, there's not much of anything that's healthier than conservation. The boss-man should at least know that you're at least concerned about electricity usage at night.
Corny, yet honest, conclusion?
Right now, I'll settle with unplugging this computer-box for the night.
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Nice one, GU! I recently found out that even a turned-off TV uses a ridiculous amount of power! I've started plugging everything into power strips that I can then switch off at night. I don't know if this helps or not, but I'm thinking it must...what do you know about that?
Also, I have never understood why skyscrapers must be lit up beyond midnight. If the blinking red lights are on at strategic locations to keep airplanes away, why do we need the giant floodlights that accentuate the architecture between the hours of midnight and dawn? It's just silly. And I get so angry with stores that leave lights on all night--lights for whom? There's no one there!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I don't know the reasoning for all stores leaving on lights, but many do because they feel that it hinders those who would break on. You aren't able to move as invisibly through the store stealing goods when it's lit up like the landingstrip than you are when it's completely dark. I'm not quite sure I follow the logic in that, as if someone is intent on breaking in, they probably don't care if the lights are on or not. A more realistic solution, I would say, would be to stop being cheap. Alarm systems and security guards can, miracle of miracles, do wonders to reduce the robbery problem.
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~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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It's not so much that it deters criminals (though it does work against the more petty ones) as it is to allow the cameras to see. Standard security cameras don't have night vision, so if the lights are out and someone breaks in, the cameras can't capture the event. On the other hand, if the lights are on, the cameras can see the incident and the thief is more likely to be caught.
I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do. ~D. Dale Gulledge
Good point.
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Free books need new home.
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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Worth the waste?
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I don't think that it is. My old boss installed night vision, motion sensing cameras for not much more than a standard system. They only recorded when someone or something moved, and there was no need for excessive lighting inside.
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Like a landingstrip??? Those are completely dark with the exception of a blue, white, or green light every so often.
I always wondered why stores lights were on all night too...until I was put incharge of the night shift. Our store had motion sensor lights put in to save on the electric bill, living in CA could be tough.
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
The runways here aren't completely dark. They have lights all the way down each side.... are landing strips and runways totally different things? Probably so huh?
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Free books need new home.
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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I guess it depends on the size of the air field but it mostly depends on what you do on them. Land on strips and take off on runways. Terminals are usually bright to load and unload but all the ones I worked on are mostly dark so as to not blind the pilots.
~T.
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
Doesn't it seem like the store is likely to lose more money lighting 24/7 than they would in the rare event of a break-in? And aren't they insured for that kind of event, anyway? Why WOULDN'T they turn off the lights?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Well said. You've hit it on the button. Those are the type of thoughts and questions I was trying to spur!
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In my former high school, we had these lights that turn on whenever someone walks into the room. It stay on and turn off after 5 mintues of no human activity or movement. It is also energy efficient.
I think that if store owners are serious about scaring away the criminals and saving money on energy, they should think about getting those light.
If they installed the light into their system, it will:
1. Turn off at night because no one is there
2. if a criminal ever break in, the light will automactically turn on because it sensor human activity
3. Save money because it is not using energy at night
ediblewoman is right on. Our machines on standby suck an amazing amount of energy. Her solution of powerstrips is a good one and, in time, would probably pay for itself.
Our world has equated light with safety for a long time, largely because we rely on our eyesight to function. For that reason, one of the toughest fronts on this battle is going to be fought with respect to personal safety. If a town cuts back on street lighting, or parking lot lighting, etc., and someone were assaulted, raped or otherwise victimized in a darkened area, would the reduced lighting policy be implicated? If we shut off the lights, and someone were physically attacked, I would feel terrible. Imagine it happening to you, your Mom, your sister, your partner, etc.
The lights on our riverfront are beautiful and allow the trails to be used year around by bikers and walkers, etc. Yet, there is no doubt they cause light pollution. Some of the light globes have had their tops painted--that keeps them useful but doesn't send useless light up into the sky.
Still, we need to keep working on this problem.
Thanks, GU and ediblewoman
Taylorbad
"The person who defines Reality wins."
Thanks for the insight, Tiger.
Please don't tell me painting the tops of those buggers is the only thing the MDA ever did to cut down on light pollution... Frankly that wouldn't make me oh-so proud of Missoula.
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There is so much waste in artificial light. It kills the lightening bugs, the turtles, and just ruins a perfectly good starry night sky.
Way to advocate.
My Blog: www.progressiveu.org/blog/jlepp-journey
You're completely right. I think we keep lights on way too long and too much and it can only make good economic sense to cut down. As a resident of Orlando, FL during the school year, I'm always amazed at how many lights are left on for no real reason and as a result, we don't see many stars, if any at all.
For the past month and a half, however, I've been living inside a National Park and the first time I looked up at the sky I was simply flabbergasted! You really don't know what you're missing until you see it for yourself; the beauty is simply indescribeable! That alone is enough reason to cut down on lighting at night for me.
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
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Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
Turn off the city lights, lower the electric bill, and enjoy the stars!
Way to go!
Darn call to actions! I think I just decided to go electric free this week an see how we survive. My poor kids no TV and minimal AC. Okay maybe totally without, at 115+ degrees out I guess I could get someone hurt turning off the AC. Definately going to move away from all lights on all the time.
Excellant electrilant post,
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
He pisses me off with all his calling for actions! I'm too tired, dammit! ;)
Actually, his blog has been quite inspiring to me, and it is what prompted me to try going off the retail grid. His blog and Carrot's rewilding stories.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
usually works
Ditch the TV. They'll survive. Maybe I will blog on some no-TV ideas later!
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Conservatives against conservation? Classic.
I think it all starts at home. I can't unplug my stove without hernia threat, can't unplug my refrigerator, but I do keep all of my appliances that don't have to be plugged in unplugged until I need them.
Then there's my husband who likes to turn the tv on in the living room, and head out to the garage. I follow him around shutting lights off. Not only is it just better for everyone to do this, it's so much cheaper! That's the angle I push with him, but he's just not getting it.
The streetlights around here are pretty dim and far between. I think it is necessary for safety. I also think they can easily switch to solar powered lights. They start out more expensive, but would save so much money and electricity! One of our government buildings was a part of some huge news story last year because all of the lights were left bright in over 3/4 of the building. I haven't heard anything lately, but I doubt it's changed. They are supposed to have half the lights dim, and the rest off. It's waste.
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
Yeah, I don't know about getting rid of street lights for basic safety reasons. I'm already nervous walking around the city at night even with the lights. Still, maybe if people didn't stay out so late we might be able to turn some of them off when it gets really late.
Solar-powered street lamps sound like a great idea! I would like to see some of those around my town.
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
My PhotoBlog: http://takingpictures.wordpress.com
I am probably doomed to have breast cancer, then. I leave quite a few of my lights on all of the time. I do buy those energy saving bulbs, but since I was robbed, I am constantly paranoid that someone is going to break into my house, so I try to leave the lights on as well as the TV so it sounds like someone is always home. I just feel safer with lights on.
To each her/his own. I don't have many of the answers to these safety concerns, nor do I know how to break down the light=safety complex. It seems rather silly to me, but I'm not of the feminine gender and I haven't been robbed, so who am I to judge?
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When I think streetlights and safety, it's more so I don't trip and so I can see where I'm going. I would think lights on at home would be more of a target... I had an explanation of that, but you sound pretty scared already. Just get a dog. :)
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
Now I'm curious - why would lights be more of a target for a break-in than a darkened house? I would think most criminals would not want to take the chance that someone is home when they plan a break-in....
If a lot of lights are on, a burglar can see if people are home or up or what rooms they are in. They can also figure out what they want to take. If I was a burglar, I would stake out near a house and figure out the schedules and habits of everyone that lived there. This would be a lot easier if lights were left on. Plus I wouldn't need to bring a flashlight.
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
I agree with you! People like routines, and you could easily lurk in the bushes and figure out someone's schedule, like when they take a shower. Trust Sonja, she hasn't been caught yet! :P
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Had you thought about buying light sensor? These light sensor turns off when someone is not in the room and whenever someone do walk into the room, it turns on. after 5 mintues or more of no human activity, it turns off.
Rush is an entertainer, not a policy maker. The quote you chose from him is representative of the outrageousness that fuels the humor of his program, and makes him the #1 talk show host.
You have written a very nice blog, and if it is taken as a call to individual action I am 100% with you. In fact I am cheap, and love walking at night, so personally I waste very little electricity by left on appliances and lights.
The problem comes when these goals become the subject of legislation. "...I get so angry with stores that leave lights on all night..." Is the type emotion that it begins with? Then we have ordinances forcing businesses and individuals to turn off their lights. Forcing people to do what you think they should is oppression. THAT is what Rush is opposing. He has no problem with YOU turning your lights off, as long as it is voluntary.
If a person chooses to conserve they should. If they feel safer with the lights on they should have that choice. Freedoms that we take for granted are the ones we are losing a little at a time.
Off shore on a sailboat is the best way to see the night sky.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
lights out is that folks will make too many babies.
Sounds like a need for glow-in-the dark prophylactic devices.
Find out everything you need to know about poop here:
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Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com/rbrianblog
business solution. would you like to help start this Biz
I think someone has already beat me to it. If not, I would love to start it! That's where the money is, I tell 'ya!
Click here to read about new ways to save money and the environment that you have never heard!
Next time I hit a bathroom at a truck stop, I'll be sure to pick you up a few. :P
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
Good on you. It sounds like you're living a fairly proactive lifestyle--could it be because you're such a product of the 70's?
You make an interesting point about freedom. I believe (at this point in my life) like Thomas Paine that humans are inherently good, and that education drives us to more things than productivity. It delivers us with a powerful mindfulness that sticks like jelly to our insides. This is why I'd submit that rationing energy and the creation of city ordinances that restrict lighting would be ineffective when compared to a comprehensive conservation program that spurs community dialogue on the issue. What do you think of that?
That's the sort of collectivism I dig. In this case I think it'd really work. I don't know many of the answers, but I do think we can begin by saying humans are inherently good creatures. We just need a little carrot at the end of the stick type prodding.
This blog was, like you say, a call for individual action and mindfulness. I'm glad you can agree with that 100%. It all starts with us, right? Tag, you're it.
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Limpball also spend time making conspiracy about the conservationism. He redicule people who want to save energy and spend time moaning about the injustice of right wingers.
It seem to be that he spend more time hating environmentalism than anything else. but what do he care, he make 20 million dollars a year and live in a beautiful house.
Beside, he could care less about freedom. Focing people to give money to the fred philips of the world, killing innocent iraqis, promoting polluction of the environment? it seems to me that he only care about freedom when it comes to him and virtuely support taking away the freedom of everybody else.
Beside, haven't Bush been taking away our freedom from use lately?
Get out of the broad room but go into the bedroom. Don't tell me to conserved engery but kill all the iraqis because they don't fit his idea of a good government and kill all america soldiers by sending them over there because they volunteer?
No wonder the only entertainment we have is a boring solid dark sky. Thank you for your post.
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There were always in me, two women at least,
one woman desperate and bewildered,
who felt she was drowning and another who
would leap into a scene, as upon a stage,
conceal her true emotions because they
were weaknesses, helplessness, despair,
and
YouR Right I would love to see a nice starry night instead of all these city lights its just pointless we really just need to conserve and at night i do unplug everthing in my light i don't even ike any little red light on my dvd player or stereo everything goes off and thats the way it should be. And did you know that if you sleep with thing that need energy like sleeping with the TV on it takes away your energy causing you to feel sleepier or lazier. So Imagine how much more active and energized we would be if we did conserve that energy.
Really? Sleepier or lazier? That's a cryin' shame. I reckon I'd like to see an article about this--could you send me a link?
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AHHHHH!!! I absolutely love this blog! I'm so glad you wrote this. Many of the things you said I could not have said sbetter myself!
Great Blog :)