Many cottagers head to rural areas in search of peace, solitude, or to enjoy the beauty of the natural world. Unfortunately, light pollution on nearby properties can shatter the illusion pretty quickly—especially if you’re trying to spot the Milky Way, the northern lights, or enjoy the ancient ritual of sitting around a campfire.
The excessive use of artificial light sources can not only disrupt the mood and affect our ability to see the night sky—it can also be harmful for animals and insects, as high-wattage blue lights in particular can disrupt natural mating patterns and migratory routes for wildlife like birds, bees, bats, and turtles, among others.
“We totally understand that you need light at night in order to operate safely around your place,” said Drew Reagan, the communications manager at DarkSky International, which outlines five principles for responsible outdoor lighting on their website. “There’s just a way to do it responsibly.”
It is relatively easy to reduce light pollution around your property so you—and your neighbours—can enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky and protect wildlife.
“There are changes you can make to improve lighting around your property to make it better for protecting the night sky, better for the wildlife around you, and better for human health for that matter,” said Jenna Hinds, the executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Change your bulbs
Swap any cold-toned LEDs or halogen lights in favour of warm-toned LED bulbs, in shades of yellow, amber, or red. “Amber LEDs are perfect, and they limit the amount of light that bounces off our atmosphere and back to us, which is what light pollution is,” says Hinds.
Amber LEDs are more of a specialty product, so it could be difficult to source them locally. “If you go to a hardware store, it’ll say ‘soft light’ and show a warmer temperature of light, but that still isn’t quite enough to protect the night sky,” says Hinds.
It may be necessary to source amber lights online. Many organizations, including the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and DarkSky International, provide resources on their websites about where to buy night sky-friendly bulbs.
Choose capped lights
Opt for capped light fixtures that only direct light down at the ground. “You want the lights to not have more than 45-degrees of light coming out of the fixture,” says Hinds. Make sure no light bleeds off to the sides, and definitely none shining above the horizon. “That really helps to limit the amount of light shining up at the sky that will outcompete the stars,” she says.
Light selectively
Hinds and Reagan both advise owners to only use light when it is truly needed. Automation, such as setting timers and motion sensors, can help with that. Reagan’s group also suggests using the lowest light level possible. Taken together, these steps can help reduce light pollution. “A small incremental change can make a big difference,” says Reagan.
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