Earth Hour

Did you know that our artificial lights impact and disturb many nocturnal activities of the natural world?

Here are a few ways our light pollution affects other species:

- blinds nighttime pollinators
- affects sex hormone release in insects
- misdirects egg-laying - and hatchling- sea turtles
- confuses migratory birds

- upsets the seasonal rhythms of trees

We can learn to reduce artificial lighting at night, and be mindful of its impact on other species. We can turn off non-essential lights, and also re-evaluate our lighting needs (plus, it's wasteful of electricity). The goal is to reduce skyglow to help our fellow planetarians.

Why not take part in Earth Hour tomorrow and commit to an hour without, or with fewer, lights?

Sat, Mar 25, 2023 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM (a World Wild Fund for Nature initiative to encourage us "to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour ... as a symbol of commitment to the planet.")

Of note: While studies have shown that LED lights have a smaller carbon footprint, new research is indicating that they suppress the production of melatonin, therefore affecting animal behavior (LEDs are more blue/white than older orange/yellow hued incandescents).