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Assessment of Citizens’ Actions against Light Pollution with Guidelines for Future Initiatives

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  • Karolina M. Zielińska-Dabkowska

    (GUT LightLab, Faculty of Architecture, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Kyra Xavia

    (International Dark-Sky Association, Tuscon, AZ 85719, USA)

  • Katarzyna Bobkowska

    (Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

Due to the wide reach of media reports about scientific research and technological tools such as the world wide web (WWW), the Internet, and web browsers, citizens today have access to factual information about the negative impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on their dark skies, and their health and well-being. This means they can now make educated decisions and take the necessary steps to help protect themselves and their communities from disruptive light pollution. Whilst this action is positive and welcomed, unfortunately, according to collected data, not all such initiatives have been successful. Although our understanding of this groundswell movement is deepening, further studies are required to complete a worldwide picture of the current situation. This paper therefore investigates the various actions taken by citizens, as well as the challenges, methods, and tools involved, regarding good practices initiated by grass roots activism on how to reduce existing and potential light pollution. The results of a comparative analysis of 262 international case studies (lawsuits and online petitions) reveal that, since the 1990s, there has been an increase in the number of legal cases related to light pollution due to the rise in public awareness, the availability of scientific knowledge via the Internet, and the ability to take accurate lighting measurements and perform lighting simulations. Also, in the last decade a new tool for digital participation in the form of online petitions has established a new movement of citizen action to mitigate the effects of light pollution. Based on this information, a seven-step framework involving recommendations for citizen action has been developed. It is expected that this new knowledge will benefit those citizens planning future efforts involving the development, implementation, and monitoring processes of outdoor lighting. Additionally, it might support the evolution of planning and policy approaches that are sustainable and necessary to improve the application and installation of ecologically/biologically responsible illumination for towns, cities, and natural habitats.

Suggested Citation

  • Karolina M. Zielińska-Dabkowska & Kyra Xavia & Katarzyna Bobkowska, 2020. "Assessment of Citizens’ Actions against Light Pollution with Guidelines for Future Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:4997-:d:373358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katarzyna Bobkowska & Pawel Burdziakowski & Jakub Szulwic & Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, 2021. "Seven Different Lighting Conditions in Photogrammetric Studies of a 3D Urban Mock-Up," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-27, November.
    2. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Kyra Xavia, 2021. "Looking Up to the Stars. A Call for Action to Save New Zealand’s Dark Skies for Future Generations to Come," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Anna Beniermann & Martin Glos & Heike Schumacher & Ingo Fietze & Stephan Völker & Annette Upmeier zu Belzen, 2023. "‘Sleep Blindness’ in Science Education: How Sleep Health Literacy Can Serve as a Link between Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Catherine Pérez Vega & Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Franz Hölker, 2021. "Urban Lighting Research Transdisciplinary Framework—A Collaborative Process with Lighting Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Diwakar Bista & Aayush Bista & Ashish Shrestha & Lambros T. Doulos & Pramod Bhusal & Georges Zissis & Frangiskos Topalis & Bhupendra Bimal Chhetri, 2021. "Lighting for Cultural and Heritage Site: An Innovative Approach for Lighting in the Distinct Pagoda-Style Architecture of Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-24, March.
    6. Rafał Krupiński, 2020. "Virtual Reality System and Scientific Visualisation for Smart Designing and Evaluating of Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Alejandro Martínez-Martín & Adrián Bocho-Roas & Diego Carmona-Fernández & Manuel Calderón-Godoy & Miguel Ángel Jaramillo-Morán & Juan Félix González, 2023. "Influence of Illumination Parameters on Night Sky Observation in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    8. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Katarzyna Szlachetko & Katarzyna Bobkowska, 2021. "An Impact Analysis of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on Bats. A Case Study of the Historic Monument and Natura 2000 Wisłoujście Fortress in Gdansk, Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-48, October.
    9. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, 2022. "Healthier and Environmentally Responsible Sustainable Cities and Communities. A New Design Framework and Planning Approach for Urban Illumination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, November.
    10. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Katarzyna Bobkowska, 2022. "Rethinking Sustainable Cities at Night: Paradigm Shifts in Urban Design and City Lighting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-34, May.
    11. Alejandro Martínez-Martín & Adrián Bocho-Roas & Diego Carmona-Fernández & Manuel Calderón-Godoy & Miguel Ángel Jaramillo-Morán & Juan Félix González, 2023. "Interference of Meteorological Variables on Night Sky Observation in Rural and Urban Zones of South-Western Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Kwang-Hoon Kim & Gon Kim, 2021. "Using Simulation-Based Modeling to Evaluate Light Trespass in the Design Stage of Sports Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.

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