Taking back the night
A Native American community in western North Carolina is replacing their streetlights with LED models.
The community of Cherokee, North Carolina is reported to be -
working with Philips Lumec to light its downtown streets with the company’s LifeLED energy efficient street lighting. The press release from Philips Lumec claims that the project, which is replacing a lighting system that is over 40 years old, will save the town of 14,500 residents somewhere in the region of $23,000 annually, and the town will more than make its money back on the additional upfront investment. Beyond energy savings, the makers also claim the system will reduce light pollution and improve visibility and safety.
A demonstration of light pollution
by Marco Bernardini on Flickr
Replacing streetlights is just one strategy for reducing light pollution, while saving energy and slowing greenhouse gas emissions. Light pollution is any adverse effect of artificial light, including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
Light pollution wastes energy, affects astronomers and scientists, disrupts global wildlife and ecological balance, and has been linked to negative consequences in human health. Visit darksky.org to learn more about specific issues.
