Light pollution has become a global concern in recent years. Nighttime illumination often spills beyond its intended areas, causing skyglow and interfering with surrounding habitats. However, DarkSky Texas understands that humans need light to see at night. Therefore, we don’t advocate for a return to complete darkness everywhere. Instead, we aim to protect existing dark areas and promote responsible lighting practices. Our approach is straightforward, focusing on 5 essential principles that guide the use of artificial light at night.
Today, we are delving deep into the second rule – to keep our lights on target.
About the 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting
When we talk about responsible outdoor lighting, we are supporting a system that allows us to maintain the effectiveness and use of exterior lights, but minimize its impact beyond where the light is absolutely needed. In this way, we can preserve the surrounding areas of deep darkness, where we can still admire the Texan skies in their full splendor and protect other living things.
Achieving this goal is simpler than you might think – it involves reassessing our use of exterior lights, from landscape features to advertisements and safety fixtures. All it takes is a few minutes to check whether our lights can be improved – or should be turned off for good.
What Makes a Light Targeted?
After determining whether our light is useful, we need to ensure it is illuminating only the area where we need it to – and that no excess light is spreading around nearby spaces.
Targeting comes down to three questions:
- Is the light beam directed downward and confined to the intended area?
- Does the fixture have proper shielding to prevent light from spilling into unintended areas or into the sky?
- Can the light’s direction be adjusted to focus only on the necessary space?
If you can answer “Yes” to at least two of these questions, then your lights are appropriately targeted.
Good Examples of Targeted Outdoor Lights
For the most part, when we first install a “stock” light pole, there’s a good chance that it will not be properly targeted. Often, these store-bought lights need some extra accessories to keep them facing where we want to – or we may need to adjust their location slightly to improve results.
Good examples of targeted outdoor lights include:
- Fully shielded downward-facing porch lights that don’t let you see the light source
- Bollard lights along walkways that direct light onto the path only and not into your eyes
- Properly aimed, downward pointing spotlights for highlighting specific landscape features
- Three-hundred sixty degree shielded street lights with recessed light bulbs or LEDs to minimize light trespass
What Happens if the Light is Not Targeted
From all the Principles of Responsible Lighting, targeting may be the one that requires the most elbow grease – but it makes a huge impact. Shielding, screens, and adjustable poles prevent:
- Light trespass and glare into neighboring properties, potentially causing reduction in safety, sleep disruption and health issues
- Increased skyglow, which can disrupt wildlife and interfere with astronomical observations
- Wasted energy and higher electricity costs due to illuminating unnecessary areas
Want to Help Us Fight Light Pollution Around Texas? Join Our Cause!
By fighting light pollution, we can address a conservation cornerstone that often goes ignored. It allows us to see better at night, discreetly support wildlife populations, preserve the wilderness (and its beauty), and even lower our energy bills. Furthermore, it means that future generations will be able to gaze at the same night sky, which has inspired and enriched humans for millennia.
This mission requires your help! Click here to learn more about donating, volunteering, or becoming a member of DarkSky Texas.
