The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) have announced a strategic collaboration to address the global issue of light pollution that may negatively affect the environment and human health and wellness.
The board of directors of IDA and IES unanimously adopted five principles for responsible outdoor lighting. By joining forces, IDA and IES seek to guide the outdoor lighting industry in the United States and beyond to be more socially and environmentally responsible.
“The principles for responsible outdoor lighting that unite our organizations are based on simple ideas: limit light at night to where and when it is needed, don’t overlight, and be sensitive to environmental concerns,” says Brian Liebel, director of standards and research for IES.
In recent years, light pollution has increased globally by 2% each year. The indiscriminate use of electric lighting at night leads to at least $3 billion in wasted energy in the United States alone.
Future avenues for engagement between the two organizations include convening experts to advance a new metric to characterize the color quality of outdoor electrical lighting, assessing and updating the Model Lighting Ordinance adopted by IDA and IES in 2011, and working to educate and inform municipalities and individuals about how these principles can be applied.
