Let there be.....Less Light

[Kal (Andrew)]

article

For one hour next March, Sydney will plunge itself into darkness in a bid to save power and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
In a world first, the city will turn off its lights between 7.30-8.30pm on Saturday, March 31, in a campaign called Earth Hour.
The campaign encourages businesses, communities and individuals to cut their emissions by 5 per cent in 2007.

I just wish it was for more than 1 hour!

[Ric]

Hi Kal, an excellent idea, but as you say it should be more than 1 hour in a year. Maybe three hours every night from 9:30 to 12:30 to assist all of you Sydney observers afflicted by the light pollution.
Every little bit helps though.

cheers

[jase (Jason)]

Great idea. Daylight savings ends on the 25th March so if we could also persuade the authorities to turn off all street lights, you might be able to see the MilkyWay from the city.

[leon]

Yea a few more hours would be good, say about 10-4am each second night, or a least twice a week.

Cheers Leon

[xelasnave]

Hey this is the key..no one will turn off their lights so an astronomer can look thru his scope but mmmm make them feel guilty about greenhouse and woo I can see a day when the city office blocks could get by in darkness.. how good to see it in Sydney first.. now thats all I wanted for a perfect life,when I go to Sydney to have a sky as dark as up here..not much to expect really.
alex

[ving (David)]

now that would be grand, but we'd need it an hour or so later so that sydney siders can see the full effect... it needs to be pitch black!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

7:30pm till 8:30pm!!! Its hardly even dark by then.

An only 1 hour!!! Takes a good half hour to dark adapt, leaving the other half hour to see as much as possible.

But it is a good start. If people actually bother to go out and see the night sky (if they can) they might ask for it regularly

[ving (David)]

bet you are glad it doesnt effect you ken

[glenc (Glen)]

The Bulletin magazine I received today had a very good article called "Wasted Energy" by Tim Flannery (page 42). If we replaced our electric hot water services with solar HWS the base load at night would be much smaller he said. He could have added that if we got rid of all the poorly designed outdoor lights it would be even smaller.
I think the best arguments against light pollution are road safety, wasted money and global warming. It is dangerous to have lights shining in your eyes when you are driving, especially on wet nights.

[GrahamL]

Ballina is haveing a light up the night festival this evening (Not kidding)
I noticed a guy setting up some big arsed strobe lights in town today
Should be able to see them for miles ,and there on revolving platforms so
everyone gets to enjoy ...can't ...wait

edit I feel for the guy with the lights the lightning show tonight was spectacular
and would of chased everyone away

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

It was just on the 6:00 Sydney news. Clover Moore (Syd L. Mayor) wants to go a step further and turn greater Sydney's non-essential lights off at night - 365 days a year.

I can't stand this woman generally, but maybe I agree with her on this one.

[ving (David)]

go clover! that'll do wonders for us on the outskirts chris

[Dujon]

I wonder how many sub-stations will pop when all the lights, refrigerators, and their ilk are turned back on simultaneously. Syderny could finish up with a week's blackout. Tee hee.

[ving (David)]

and thats a bad thing john?

[Kal (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

It was just on the 6:00 Sydney news. Clover Moore (Syd L. Mayor) wants to go a step further and turn greater Sydney's non-essential lights off at night - 365 days a year.

I can't stand this woman generally, but maybe I agree with her on this one.

That is fantastic!
/support this too

[gary]

As Ted Mack once said to me, "If you never write, then politicians
have no way of ever knowing".

If IceInSpace community members really feel serious about light pollution
in their communities, now is a perfect opportunity to write to your local
Council.

It's time to lobby.

For example, in the City of Sydney, Clover Moore will undoubtedly be thinking
in terms of emission reductions (the city is the state's highest energy consumer).
If one writes her and mentions that there is this added dimension, that is the
potential reclamation of the wonder & beauty of the night sky for the enjoyment of
the inhabitants of the city, then this can only provide additional impetus to
this initiative.

I will certainly be writing to her and saying that whilst most Australians would
not condone the desecration of the Australian national flag, through
the practice of inefficient and wasteful outdoor lighting, we have collectively
obliterated from sight the very stars that are symbolically represented on that
flag.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Hey Gary, that's an excellent point! (the Crux)

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Come on guy's, be realistic.
It will never happen, unless the electricity company shuts it down, and we all know they won't do that.
Nice thought though.

Mike.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Sausageman

Come on guy's, be realistic.
It will never happen, unless the electricity company shuts it down, and we all know they won't do that.
Nice thought though.

Mike.

Hi Mike,

With regards street lighting specifically, fortunately it is not up to the
electricity suppliers, as it is the Council/City that is responsible for the cost
of the installation, upkeep and electricity for street lighting. The electricity
cost alone is typically 90% of this budget.

For example, in the Sydney, Central Coast and Hunter Valley areas, twenty-nine
councils pay Energy Australia over $21 million a year and rising to run and maintain
street lighting. It is not unrealistic to assume these Councils would love to reduce
their energy bills.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Mike,

It is not unrealistic to assume these Councils would love to reduce
their energy bills.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

No, they will just increase council rates, fines etc to recoup the costs