EU funds help shine the spotlight on light pollution

12.08.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Jun 2007

South West MEP Graham Watson used the opportunity of a visit today to the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Blagdon near Bristol to address the issue of unnecessary light pollution.

Commenting after the visit Graham Watson said:

"There is no getting away from the fact that the UK is the second worst country in Europe for light pollution. We need to ensure that there is a comprehensive strategy in place to tackle this problem nationwide. For areas like the Mendip Hills, light pollution represents a serious problem and its increase over recent years has had a knock-on effect on local wildlife. Yet light pollution not only impairs our ability to see the stars, it's also is a complete waste of energy. The majority of electricity comes from fossil fuelled powered stations that cause air pollution which clearly contributes to global warming."

On a totally dark night the Royal Astronomical Society estimates we should be able to see around 2,000 stars. But in many areas, in particular near big cities in the South West, light pollution reduces visibility to a few dozen stars. Light pollution is caused by artificial light reflecting on airborne dust particles and water droplets. The main sources are from street lighting, security lighting and floodlighting of sports grounds, buildings and advertising signs. Light pollution has been blamed for a drastic fall in insect numbers who, attracted by floodlights, fly around all night before eventfully falling to the ground exhausted. This has consequences for birds and spiders that feed on these insects, with their numbers also in decline.

Light pollution is a problem common in all of Europe and Graham is keen to ensure the UK follows the example of European partners, such as Italy and the Czech Republic, who have introduced measures and initiatives to cut light pollution.

Graham is particularly interested to see how EU funds are being used by the Mendip Hills AONB, covering 198sq kilometres, which has made combating light pollution a central part of its 'Dark Skies' agenda in the organisation's Management Plan 2004-2009. This can be accessed via:

http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications/up_144957_managementplan.pdf .