lemon garden

Being in touch with the spirit of the times, as I am, I created an online petition at 10 Downing Street’s website (you may have heard about another, far less important, petition in the news of late). I am petitioning the Prime Minister to do something about the light pollution that fouls our night sky.

I used to live on the coast, and revelled in the beauty of a star strewn sky overhead. Half the night sky lay over the North Sea, so there was little light pollution. Since I moved inland, this glorious sight is the thing I miss most. I miss it even more than walking along the sea shore after a day’s work. That’s how much I miss it.

The night sky over Harrogate is naught but a dull orange glow. You can just about make out the brightest constellations (Orion, the Plough), the brightest stars (well, Sirius, at least) and the odd passing planet. You would scarcely know there are any stars out there at all.

So far my petition has garnered a rather decent 776 signatures. It reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that all exterior lights are shaded to direct their light downwards, so as to prevent light pollution obscuring the beauty of the night sky.

To see what I mean, consider these two photographs, taken of neighbouring street lights earlier this evening:

The first photograph shows a shaded street light. See how the light is directed downwards, whilst above it there is only darkness. Contrast this with the great globe of light blaring out in all directions in the second picture. See what I mean?

If you could find it within your heart to join with me, and sign my petition, I will be eternally in your debt.