Sustainability Update August 11, 2023
Sustainability Coordinator Sue Thomas, Sthomas@westfordma.gov
Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight
Clear skies and a crescent moon make for good viewing conditions. Saturday night is forecasted to be the peak this year, but the weather may be more tricky here in Westford. This article explains how to view these “shooting stars” and why conditions are better for a spectacular show this year for those of us living in the northeast.
The Value of Dark Skies
The biggest challenge to astronomers in Westford, be they children or professionals, however, is not the weather or the horizon, but light pollution, which is an area where all of us can make a difference.
Darks skies aren’t just important to those looking up for inspiration and exploration. Night time lighting impacts human health by disrupting our sleep cycles, contributing to depression and other diseases associated with the disruption of circadian rhythms, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Paradoxically for those who associate evening lighting with safety, sleep deprivation contributes to many daytime injuries.
Artificial night time light also confuses wildlife, impacting their ability to find food, mates, and migration routes as well as their reproductive success.
What can you do?
- Teach yourself not to fear the dark – take a few moments to enjoy the night sky and familiarize yourself with the outdoors each night before you head indoors for dinner or to bed. This is a great way to de-stress and reset, even in the rain, and especially in the snow.
- Reconsider your outdoor lighting. What purpose does it serve?
- Eliminate unnecessary light and minimize electricity bills! Does your lighting illuminate only the places you need it to, and only at the time you need it, or does your lighting wake the next door neighbors, come on at the slightest movement of an insect throughout the night, overlap with a street light, or make your property look like Fenway on game night til dawn?
- Control. Would a timer or a motion sensor better meet your needs? Can you dim the lights you have?
- Replace lighting (this tax free weekend?). Buy shielded lighting focused on the area you wish to light. Dark Sky Lighting can be found at most hardware stores and specialty lighting retailers nationwide. It comes in many attractive and functional styles. It also minimizes blue light which is particularly harmful to the night time environment and your sleep.
- Replace your cold LEDS with warm spectrum lights.
- Don’t forget holiday lighting. Choose LED lights, and make sure they are warm.
- Help educate businesses and governments about changes they can make to save energy and the night sky. If you are interested in helping with this, please email me. sthomas@westfordma.gov.
Wish on a shooting star tonight!
Reminder: Tax Free Weekend is THIS Weekend: August 12th & 13th