Did you know the light pollution on the island is increasing rapidly? This is a worrying trend to be addressed before it’s too late.
Gail Walker, founder and president of the volunteer organization Nantucket Lights, has been working hard to address this issue by proposing an outdoor lighting law that should help protect our beautiful night sky for years to come!
According to satellite data, our night skies are 25% brighter today than they were just ten years ago, making it harder to see the stars at night in many places on the island (it’s likely even worse than that because satellites are essentially blind to the blue light emitted by LED). Complaints about light trespass and glare from neighboring properties are increasing. The evidence of harm from artificial light at night to human health, pollinating insects, birds, and other wildlife (even plants and trees) is mounting. Excessive and unnecessary outdoor lighting wastes precious energy and erodes the island’s historic charm.