On August 13, the city passed a Dark Sky Ordinance to protect the health of community members, visitors and wildlife. Light pollution, defined as light where it is not wanted or needed, affects our health, the environment, wildlife, and our ability to find awe in the natural nighttime environment.
The Dark Sky Initiative's focus is to:
- Maintain safety and security
- Develop and implement best practices in outdoor lighting
- Support human and ecological health
- Eliminate light trespass
- Reduce glare
- Lower energy consumption
The City’s lighting choices are based on energy efficiency, visual acuity, and affects to nocturnal creatures and minimum disruption to the body’s circadian cycle. Multiple physiological processes – including those related to alertness, hormonal balance, digestion and sleep – are regulated by our circadian cycle. Two recent studies showed that circadian disruptions are linked to obesity, insulin resistance and breast cancer.
By switching lights and fixtures, you can save money too. The guidelines are:
- Use full cutoff fixtures to minimize sky glow and trespass
- Reduce intensity when retrofitting to “whiter” light
- Set color criteria – e.g. CCT ≤ 3000K
- Look for fixtures with IDA seal
- Dim lights later at night and/or change spectral output
- Use of light guides (waveguides) to reduce point-source glare
- Consider using “Next Generation” LEDs and fixtures
- Consider controls – dimming, proximity, spectral tuning
Find out more by visiting the City's table at two events during next week's Moab Science Festival. Other public events will also be held to help residents and businesses learn about the Dark Sky initiative.
