Taking Back the Night
We need to stop light pollution. It is an easy problem to fix, says Crawford.
Cities need to use lamps that don’t waste light. Special streetlights can shine light directly downward. Individuals and businesses must use fewer lights. We need to leave many parking lots and office buildings dark at night.
Some states have already passed lighting laws. Hundreds of communities have, too. Miami and other cities have already bought new streetlights. Toronto is trying to reduce city lights during bird migration season.
These steps will help, but everyone needs to help stop this problem. “At the flick of a switch, this problem could disappear,” says Mesure.
Sharon Guynup
Sharon Guynup (1958–) is a science writer, editor, and photographer. She especially enjoys writing about nature. Guynup’s stories have appeared in many science magazines. She travels all over the world for her assignments.
“Hiking deep in the rainforest or snorkeling along coral reefs gave me a deep love of nature,” Guynup says. “Much of my work explores ways we need to protect wildlife—and this beautiful planet we all share.”