Luxembourg's Nature Park "Our" is raising awareness about the negative implications of light pollution, which is not only harmful to animals and natural vegetation, but can further cause sleep deprivation, eyesight problems, as well as depression in humans. It is also known to implicate diseases such as diabetes or cancer.
The seven-country initiative "NIGHT LIGHT" was thus launched by the Netherlands, Hungary, Spain, Denmark, Slovenia, Italia, and Luxembourg to fight this exact problem. In the Grand Duchy, the Ministry for Energy and Spatial Planning tasked the Nature Park with developing proactive strategies to combat the issue, and formed a national consulting agency for lighting.
Each individual can help in this matter. People are advised to reconsider whether garden lighting is really necessary, and should prioritise spots directed towards the ground. Bulbs should moreover emanate warm light, which is less harmful to the health of plants, animals, and humans. Insects are also less drawn towards them and they cause further disruptions for night-active birds.
Motion sensors can further help reduce the amount of unnecessary artificial light, a worthwhile consideration before arranging Christmas lighting.
For further practical information, please consider the website of the Nature Park "Our".
