Local Community Enforces Dark-sky Laws

Now that you have been introduced and informed about light pollution, you can learn about what some communities and cities are doing to reduce light glare. Some communities are enforcing Dark-sky laws, which will take action against light pollution by Dark-sky legislation. Dark-sky legislation will regulate city lights and will require outdoor lights to be shielded and to be directed downward instead of upward towards the sky. Dark-sky legislation mostly only apply to public property. Dark-sky legislation will not only enhance star-gazing but, will reduce the cost of public lighting by using lower-wattage light bulbs. If Madeira, a suburb of Cincinnati, chooses to adopt the legislation, it will join over three hundred other cities across America to have adopted Dark-sky legislation.

  http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20110130/NEWS0108/101310330/

What's light pollution and why are dark skies important?

That's a good question. What is light pollution? And  why are dark skies important? Light pollution is the excessive of artificial light caused by sky glow,  light glare, and light clutter. Light pollution from city lights affects the ability to see stars and other astronomical  observations. Since light pollution is a type of pollution, it affects and disturbs ecosystems. Areas with the most severe light pollution includes major areas in North America, Asia, and Europe such as New York City, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Tokyo, Malayasia, Paris and London. Dark skys are important because they are natural nights skies uninterrupted by light pollution and light glare. The dark-sky movement is a campaign to reduce light pollution so people can see stars and to reduce the affects of unnatural lighting on the environment.The dark-sky movement is also important because it cuts down energy usage.