Light pollution is increasing worldwide at up to 10% per year and changes in lighting technology have led to the increasing use of blue-rich LED lighting. Research shows that light pollution has an impact on a wide range of species from plants to humans and may be as important as climate change in its impacts. In Ireland, light increased by ≈ 60% in the two decades to 2015 and now pervades most of the country with impacts from the dawn chorus to reproduction. In this talk the growth of light pollution on Ireland, its impact on birdlife from coastal to inland areas and some measures to reduce its impact will be outlined.
Brian Espey is an astrophysicist who has been involved in light pollution research since 2009 using a combination of satellite and ground-based observations. He was involved in the setting up of Mayo Dark Sky Park and in developing and protecting other dark sky locations. Brian is currently chairperson of Dark Sky Ireland (https://www.darksky.ie) and actively campaigns for a reduction in the harmful effects of light at night through a combination of public outreach and engagement with both local and national authorities and organisations. Recent successes have been the adoption of dark sky friendly policies and the commitment to expand protected dark sky areas in the Programme for Government.
For contact:
Frank Prendergast (sec)
087 131 9884, frank.prendergast@tudublin.ie
Paul Lynch (chair)
087 631 9209, paulllynch@gmail.com
