Tucson, AZ — DarkSky International, a global authority dedicated to restoring the nighttime environment and protecting communities from the harmful effects of light pollution, has published free templates to assist local and regional governments in adopting responsible outdoor lighting policies. Available on DarkSky’s website, these resources offer practical guidance to mitigate the negative impacts of light pollution, enhance community safety, promote sustainability, and lower energy costs.
Light pollution is escalating at an alarming rate of 10 percent per year, primarily driven by rising light levels in populated areas and new developments encroaching on previously dark regions. The widespread use of affordable, energy-efficient LED lighting has resulted in the unintentional consequence of intensified and expanding light pollution, threatening vital wildlife ecosystems and negatively impacting human health and well-being. Fortunately, implementing responsible lighting codes and statutes presents a clear and effective solution to address these pressing environmental challenges.
These templates, developed with input from experts in lighting design, environmental ecology, and urban planning, are tailored for immediate use by municipal and regional governments and align with the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting—a landmark set of guidelines created and adopted by DarkSky International and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in 2020. These principles advocate for installing lighting only when necessary, directing it precisely to intended areas, maintaining appropriate light levels, utilizing controls to dim or turn off lights after hours, and opting for warmer-colored light sources to minimize negative environmental impacts.
According to Brian Liebel, DarkSky’s Chief Program Officer, the Five Principles, provide a framework with simple objectives that capitalize on the positive attributes of LED lighting, such as improved optical design for targeting light, dimmability, and warmer color temperatures. The provisions in the templates are immediately achievable and effective with today’s lighting technologies.
To date, these templates have received endorsements from the American Bird Conservancy and Scenic America.
Municipalities and territories that adopt DarkSky’s templates can submit their draft policies for review by DarkSky International for a nominal fee. After formal adoption and implementation, these codes and statutes are eligible for official DarkSky Recognition, allowing cities, states, and regions to proudly join the growing network of DarkSky places worldwide committed to preserving the night sky.
The DarkSky Codes and Statutes templates are available for free download on the DarkSky website. To access them, simply agree to the Terms and Conditions and complete your registration.
For further inquiries, please contact our programs team at Approved@darksky.org.
About DarkSky International
DarkSky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation (www.darksky.org).
Cover Image:
- Flagstaff, Arizona leveraged its outdoor lighting code to help become the first DarkSky Community in 2001. Courtesy of DarkSky
