Why save the dark?
All species on Earth including humans have evolved to and need the light and dark cycle. Up until hundred years ago, undisturbed by artificial lights, humans were inspired by starry skies, birds used celestial objects to navigate, sea turtle hatchlings found their way to the ocean, predators and bioluminescent life used the dark to hunt and mate, undisturbed. A naturally dark place is also a naturally wild place. Between 2012 and 2016, satellite data show that our planet brightened by 9.1%.
With the rampant increase in artificial lighting and light pollution, we've shut our view of the Universe and altered night time landscapes. Billions of birds and hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are disoriented every year on their migration paths. Fireflies once found in large numbers everywhere have become very rare. Frogs stop calling in brightly lit areas, affecting their mating success. Many nocturnal species from owls to leopards to snakes lose their eyesight when exposed to bright traffic lights. We have altered our planet, in ways unfathomable, with excessive lighting.
WiDe works to conserve and restore darkness through sustainable and environment friendly lighting practices.
What is Light Pollution?
Light pollution, in simplest terms, is excessive lighting that goes where it's not supposed to. It is the glow in the sky caused by lights from far away(skyglow), the glare from unshielded lights, the trespass from light fittings that go beyond the intended area of lighting, the blinding headlights, etc. With the invention of LED and cheaper lights, we light way more than what's required.
The loss of dark has significant impacts on the environment. Many species of wildlife are affected by light pollution. They also harm our health by suppressing the secretion of melatonin which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. But, there are ways to light our cities without negatively impacting the environment.
LED lights, when used right are great tools to combat light pollution. Their color can be customised and intensity set to any level. Many cities worldwide use yellower lights(color temperature < 2700 Kelvin) and reduce the light intensity to 30% or lower after midnight. Research has shown certain wildlife are unaffected by specific wavelengths of light. Sea turtles, for example, are undisturbed by amber or red coloured lights. By installing such wildlife friendly lights, we ensure the area is lit without affecting the wildlife.
What can you do?
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Light only what's needed, when it is needed and the amount necessary.
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Shield the lights so they are directed towards the necessary area.
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Use motion sensors to light up only on sudden movements.
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Use yellower, oranger lights than bright white ones.
Fireflies conservation
Fireflies glow in the dark to communicate, especially to find a mate. They produce their light through a process called bioluminescence. Their lights are hundred percent efficient. There are over 2000 species of fireflies in the world. A handful of those species coordinate their flashes and put on one of Nature's grandest synchronised spectacles. These are synchronous fireflies. They are found in very few locations in the world.
A few decades ago, fireflies were more common. Firefly populations are on the decline across the world. Artificial lighting, usage of pesticides and loss of habitats are major reasons for their decline. By excessively lighting up our environment through artificial lighting, we have ousted nature's own lights. In artificially lit areas, fireflies are unable to communicate with each other through their flashes and are unsuccessful in mating. Very few locations are left with good firefly populations. It is critical to preserve these habitats to keep the tiny magical creatures from extinction.
At WiDE, we monitor firefly populations, map their diversity and study the factors affecting them. We work with public and forest officials to conserve fireflies. We lay out conservation mechanisms so that future development projects take the risks and mitigations into consideration. In areas outside protected sanctuaries, we raise awareness to keep lighting at a minimum to preserve existing populations.
Raising Awareness
The night skies give us perspective. It reminds us of our place in the Universe. Imagine living under a sky full of stars, how curious that would make children. At WiDe, we raise awareness on the wonders of the dark and the ill effects of losing it.
We make short films and documentaries to educate people about how light pollution impacts the night skies, human health, wildlife and ways to combat it; films on the wonders of the dark such as fireflies and how to preserve them.
We conduct telescope viewings and outreach programs to share the wonders of Astronomy. We hold talks and training programmes to inspire and educate children on the beauty of nature, birdwatching, night skies, stars and fireflies.
At WiDE, we also do training programmes to educate forest field staff on the significance of the dark and to monitor firefly populations.
