Some Pittsburgh residents may have been wondering why some stars in the night sky have been more difficult to see in recent years. Or why evenings seem less tranquil than they used to?
It could be that excessive use of artificial light, called light pollution, is adversely affecting the health of people in the Pittsburgh area.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is attempting to do something about it.
On Tuesday the mayor announced a new “Dark Sky Lighting” ordinance for all city parks, facilities and street lights. The term refers to the use of technology to minimize the use of outdoor lighting to only what is necessary for comfort and safety.
The ordinance was presented to City Council on Tuesday and will be discussed at another meeting next Wednesday. It will likely come up for a vote on Sept. 7.
Under the ordinance, the city will follow “Dark Sky principles” for its newly installed or retrofitted streetlights, newly constructed and renovated park spaces and playgrounds as well as newly constructed and renovated city-owned buildings.
“By introducing Dark Sky legislation, the city is further advancing its commitment to reduction of energy consumption, and elimination of waste in accordance with our Climate Action Plan goals,” said Peduto at a news conference held at the National Aviary. “Our park spaces and city facilities should serve as the model for others to follow.”
Peduto was joined by representatives of the National Aviary, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Also supporting the initiative is Carnegie Mellon University astronomer Diane Turnshek. She said 80% of the people in the U.S. cannot see the Milky Way and 99% of people are under light pollution skies. She said “dark sky lighting” can do a lot for Pittsburgh.
“My students have witnessed a dramatic change,” Turnshek said. “It used to be that they knew where the Milky Way was and now many of them think it’s fake, that the photos aren’t real and that only astronauts can see that. And it’s really sad that people just don’t go outside and look up anymore so they can see stars.”
Turnshek said light pollution is an easy thing to fix. While currently someone has to drive 40 minutes outside of the city to clearly see the wonders of the night sky, dark sky lighting can move that distance a little closer to the city.
“We want to inspire students, and this is a big motivation,” she said. “Let them see something and say, ‘I wonder what that is.’ ”
But it’s not only humans who are bothered by light pollution. It can have a negative impact on wildlife, the climate and plants.
“Plants need light for more than just photosynthesis,” said Jess Ignasky, interactive marketing coordinator for Phipps Conservatory. “They use light and the lack of light as a signal to change their behavior. And studies suggest that light pollution can disrupt these signals and deprive them of the down time they need to repair and conserve energy.”
Pittsburgh is the first city to take a principles-based approach to dark sky lighting, according to Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association.
“The proposed ordinance presents an opportunity to adopt policy that is easy to understand, implement and enforce,” Hartley said. “We foresee this approach serving as a model for other municipalities looking to effectively reduce light pollution.”
Paul Guggenheimer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-226-7706 or pguggenheimer@triblive.com.
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August 25, 2021 at 06:01PM
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