Do you think this is a good idea - a law against light pollution?

Question

I do. We could save energy, and have a better view of the evening sky. http://www.darksky.org/news/press-2007-08-31.php

Answer 1

Yes.  But how would you enforce it?

Answer 2

I agree.  I moved into a country setting yet 4 minutes or so from a small mall.  I knew that growth would come my way but it seemed that half the world came.  I could walk outside and it was so beautiful.  I didn't have to drive anywhere to watch meteor showers.  Then came those darn old lights the telephone company sells.  All they do is make shadows so that you can't see anyone that might be hiding in the shadows, so why put them up.  Is everyone afraid of the dark?  Then the new house next door and there one of the first things they said to me was, "Want to go half on a street light?"  I mentioned something about liking it dark for all the above reasons and he looked at me like something was wrong with me.  Oh and don't let me forget the large billboard they put up over on the highway.  The lights that should shine up on the billboard shine over at me.  I wonder if it is illegal to just shoot them out.

Answer 3

Big cities need lights.  No lights, big crime.  Sorry.

About the only thing you can do is go to an island in the middle of the ocean, which is what astronomers do...  The rest of us are out of luck, unless you move far away from populated areas...

Answer 4

Too many unenforced laws already.   Try educating people you have the problem with on how much they are wasting, and how they could make better use of their light.

Answer 5

i dont think we should ban it but we should just reduce it because seriously their is just too much unnecessary lights everywhere.

Answer 6

In answer to the above: a lot of light pollution can be mitigated by designing lights so they don't send light upwards into the sky, but instead direct it down to the ground (where it's useful). Light lost in that way is JUST pollution, and nothing else. It would be impossible to cut out all of this, but a great deal of light pollution can be removed through better design.

Answer 7

hmmm....light 'pollution'. i think we should consider 'how much light is considered as the polluted level' first, before go for law enforcement.

from your link, it seem to be the reducing the light producing cost in that particular country. looking forward to be read kore about this news from the other country as well.

but, for me, much more than that is 'termal pollution' in big cities which are surrounded with glass building. that is the reason of warm which reflect the light from one to another. which make the surrounding are deadly hot during the day.

Answer 8

Great idea.

In most towns it is almost impossible to see the stars, and especially the milky way. What effect does this have on people's outlook on life?

Enforcement is easy, just take pictures at night from a helicopter. Any naked light visible from above could be identified and the owner dealt with.

Answer 9

NEVER HEARD LIGHT POLLUTION BUT HEARD ENERGY POLLUTION ...SOMEWHERE

Answer 10

Yes, how would you enforce it, like the other dude said? But, I'm all for it! Washington (where I live) is trying (and suceeding) concerving, but I want more!

Answer 11

Yawn....  More laws under the guise of environmentalism to impede freedom and raise tax dollars.

Answer 12

& since most of the light given off is from street lights (Which we need ) I don't think we need such a stupid law. Also since when has a beam of light ever hurt ot likked any one.