A petition is calling on the Federal Government to protect Australia’s unique dark sky environment. Photo: Grant Hardwick – Kestrel Nest Eco Hut.
A petition calling on the Federal Government to limit light pollution has gathered more than 10,000 signatures ahead of its submission to the House of Representatives this week.
The petition for light pollution regulation and dark sky preservation asks the government to limit artificial light at night and follow the example of nations including France, Germany and Croatia.
Although one of the least light-impacted cities in Australia, Canberra has seen the situation spread.
Chief petitioner ANU Indigenous Research Associate Peter Swanton, who studies astrophysics and works at the Mount Stromlo Observatory, has seen the growing problem of light pollution in the city first-hand.
“For me, this obviously started from a place of astronomy. But I’m also interested in this because it has larger implications than astronomy,” Mr Swanton said.
“Studies have shown increased light pollution disrupts the human circadian rhythm and leads to increases in things like heart disease and cancer.”
Mr Swanton, who is writing his PhD on dark sky preservation, said Mt Stromlo was one of the few places in Australia protected from light with a five-kilometre exclusion zone around it.
But even this hasn’t been enough to preserve its skies.
“We knew 50 years ago the light pollution in Canberra was getting too much for observatory purposes,” he said.
“We’re seeing at the moment, anywhere from five to a 10 per cent increase in light pollution per year.”
Australia is one of the least light-polluted countries on the planet. But even here, an estimated 80 per cent of the population lives under severely light-polluted skies.
Canberrans are luckier than most. Much of the city is ranked about 6.5 on the Bortle scale of light pollution. In comparison, Sydney is 8.8. The scale tops out at 9.0.
But the national capital could be better according to Mr Swanton, who said we have been seeing growing issues associated with light pollution.
“It’s been an increasing problem here in Canberra for quite a while now.
“A lot of Canberrans would have noticed the decline in the Bogong moth populations over the last few decades. That’s largely driven by the light pollution.”
To draw up the petition, Mr Swanton joined with the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, a non-profit that advocates for protecting dark skies around the country.
Alliance director Marnie Ogg said such legislation was important because of its impact on health.
“Light is the fastest growing pollutant in the world and there’s a wealth of scientific evidence about the harmful impacts of excessive artificial light at night,” she said.
“But the good news is light is also the easiest pollution problem to solve.”
The petition doesn’t call for specific actions, but advocates ways of combatting the problem. These include using warm coloured lighting and shielding fixtures so light isn’t reflected into the sky.
ACT senator David Pocock has backed the petition.
He said excessive artificial light harmed wildlife and human health.
“Other countries have shown it’s possible to take action, and Australia must not fall behind,” Senator Pocock said.
“The government should look to introduce federal laws to limit unnecessary artificial light at night. This is a simple, effective step we can take to protect biodiversity, improve human health, and cut energy waste.”
The petition closes today.
Once closed, it will be submitted to a minister for a response. This can take up to 90 days.
It will then be presented to a committee then to the House of Representatives.
Find the petition to parliament here.
