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Information Sheet 139 (.Tuly 1998) Pa�e 2 af 4 wasted, Col�ective�y, for a municipali�y with a population of 100,004, fiom $3�0,000 to $500,000 is being lost to the sky every year. This results in not only the �oss of the stars, but an avoidable economic �oss �o the community as well. Uncontrolled lighting of�en creates a garish landscape, with a confusing tangle of ligh�s tha� shine in�o citizens' eyes rather than onto the ground, where it is needed. The term for this obtrusive Iight is "veiling g1a�e", and we are paying extra for it, each and every night the fixtur� is in use. We can da better! This inability to see well in our already over-lit nightscapes due �o glare leads to ever more lighting. The eye is designed to function effectively bo�h day and nigh�. But in our ci�ies, our eyes have to run the gauntlet from lit areas �hat are iniensely illuminat�d to areas of dark shadow� caused by �hose g�ary Iights. The eye will natural�y adjust to the brightest portion of a given scene, often leaving quite adequately lit area� nearby looking dark. Glare and over illumination are thus counterproductive. The mo�re light we use in one area, the more we need everywhere eise beeause the iris in the eye stops down, �etting less light in. Adjacent ar�as (including streets) with formeriy adequate illumination now �ook relatively dim as we ratchei up the light levels in one particu�ar location. �nteresting�y, a lower illumination Ievel provided by a white ligh� source in a fully-shielded f xture would aliow the eye to na�urally adap� to the �ower �ight level, and we could adequately illuminate parking lots with less than one footcandle of illumination. A disturbing new trend seen in some national chains of conven�ence stores and gas �tations has been �o ratchet up the light level under the canopy to very high levels {10,000 times as mueh i�lumination as provided by a full maon!} in an effort to attract customers and provide "a safer, more secure" environment for their employees. For their patranage, customers now ean have the delightful exper�ence of trying to blindly navigate their vehicle for a few �econds onto the much darker streets whiie their eyes readapt. No one wins these escalating "light wars" and our aesthetic environment deterio�ates by the year. Rather than improve safety, these "ratcheteers" have in fact compromised safety. It is time io ha�t this unnecessary and counterproductive escala�ion in lighting �ha� affects us all whether we own ihe lighting system or jus� live near it. After a11, i�'s not rocket science -- it's good �ighting science. autdoor ligh�ing should be regu�ated for the public good, jus� like signs, billboards, and no�se pollution are. Fu11y shielding all outdoor fixtures can eliminate light trespass as well as vvaste. http://www. darksky.org/infoshts/is 139.htm! 6/20/2005