- Energy savings: The most persuasive
arguments for dark sky lighting control are economic. In the U.S., approximately
one-third of all lighting is wasted. It’s even worse for night lighting. For
every $100 spent operating a dusk-to-dawn light fixture, $45 is wasted on light
that never reaches the ground.
- Heritage
and rural character: Night skies were important to early settlers. That
connection is an important part of our pioneer heritage and rural character in
Ivins. Light pollution diminishes our ability to view and enjoy the night sky.
This has subtle but significant cultural impacts, especially for future
generations.
- Quality
of life: Nearly 80 percent of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way due
to light pollution. We’re lucky. We can still see stars, galaxies, and more in
the night sky over Ivins. A goal of our City’s General Plan is to protect our quality
of life by preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape and the
spiritual quality of the environment. Surely that includes the night sky above
Ivins.
- Health:
Scientists are just beginning to understand the negative impacts that excessive
nighttime light exposure has on health. The circadian clock, or 24-hour
day/night cycle, affects important physiologic processes. Disruption of these
processes are associated with sleep disorders, psychiatric disorders,
cardiovascular diseases, immunological disorders, metabolic disorders, obesity
and cancer progression.
- Safety:
Bright lighting does not mean safer lighting. Bright, glaring lights contract
the eye’s pupils and create sharp contrast between light and darkness, making
the area outside of the illuminated area difficult to see and creates deep
shadows that offer concealment. Dark sky friendly lighting will improve overall
safety. Lower lighting levels, warmer light temperatures, and better coverage
are safer lighting methods.
- Nature:
Humans are not the only ones who are adversely affected by light pollution. Both
wildlife and domestic animals are similarly impacted. Prolonged exposure to
artificial lighting creates disorientation, alters behaviors, and changes breeding
cycles. It disrupts natural processes in both plants and animals.
- Property
values: Light trespass, the unwanted invasion of light, is an issue because
it interferes with a property owner’s private enjoyment and use of his or her
own land. Dark sky friendly lighting can enhance property values by eliminating
light trespass. Due to the scarcity of dark, starry skies all around the
county, improving the quality of our night sky helps maintain or even increase property
values.
- Tourism: Places where night skies are free from artificial light pollution have become increasingly popular tourist destinations. Not everyone considers tourism a benefit. It has its downsides for those who live here year-round. But tourism provides local businesses with a steadier source of income, allows for a more efficient use of community resources, and creates jobs for us, our children, and grandchildren.
Source: International Dark Sky Association
