Andrew Yee[_1_]
March 31st 08, 06:37 AM
International Dark-Sky Association
Tucson, Arizona
Contact: Kim Patten
International Dark-Sky Association
520-293-3198
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2008
2008 National Dark-Sky Week Celebration
Tucson, AZ -- Observance of the sixth annual National Dark-Sky Week will
take place March 29 through April 4. Founded in 2003 by Jennifer Barlow, the
event highlights concern for increasing light pollution -- the "glow" from
outdoor lights that washes out the stars in the night sky. Endorsed by the
International Dark-Sky Association, American Astronomical Society, and the
Astronomical League, event participation grows each year as the public
becomes more aware of light pollution and its effects on our everyday lives
and the environment.
This year, IDA is encouraging everyone to support the World Wildlife Fund's
Earth Hour, occurring on March 29th. In addition, Lights Out America is now
supporting Earth Hour. In past years, various "lights out" campaigns, the
WWF, the National Audubon Society, and other organizations have promoted
events to protect wildlife and conserve energy. Light pollution is a growing
threat, and IDA is encouraged by increased public awareness of the problem
and the increasing number of events highlighting it every year.
National Dark-Sky Week seeks to deter light pollution by encouraging better
overall outdoor lighting practices. Simply turning off unnecessary lighting
for one hour or even a week is only a temporary solution. National Dark-Sky
Week seeks to educate the public about lighting fixtures that help reduce
light pollution by focusing light downward instead of up into the sky.
Also, it is important to always turn off lights when they are not needed and
to only use the right amount of light.
As cities continue to grow, so does light pollution through poor planning
and misuse of outdoor lighting. While light pollution is detrimental to our
ability to observe and enjoy the night sky, it also disrupts the surrounding
natural environment, wastes energy, and has the potential to cause health
problems. "The only way that National Dark-Sky Week can succeed is if more
people participate every year," says Barlow. "No significant reduction in
light pollution can be made unless a great number of people turn off their
lights, shield them, and control how bright they are."
Earth Hour is a global initiative to "turn off the lights" in cities around
the world for one hour, starting at 8 p.m. local time on March 29, 2008.
Earth Hour will demonstrate that by working together, each one of us can
make a positive impact on this global issue. Earth Hour is intended to
bring together a diverse group of community, municipal, corporate and
non-governmental organizations to heighten awareness of the impacts of
climate change on the world and to inspire individuals and businesses to
take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint.
These campaigns also encourage the public to attend area star parties or
visit a local observatory. But always be careful not to turn out lights that
are necessary for public safety, and when going stargazing, carry a
red-tinted flashlight and stay in a large group.
Twenty-five cities around the world are confirmed to take part in WWF's
Earth Hour climate change: Aalborg, Denmark; Aarhus, Denmark; Adelaide,
Australia; Atlanta, United States; Bangkok, Thailand; Brisbane, Australia;
Canberra, Australia; Chicago, United States; Christchurch, New Zealand;
Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; Haifa, Israel; Manila, Philippines;
Melbourne, Australia; Montreal, Canada; Odense, Denmark; Ottawa, Canada;
Perth, Australia; Phoenix, United States; San Francisco, United States;
Suva, Fiji; Sydney Australia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Toronto, Canada; and
Vancouver, Canada
As Jennifer Barlow observes, "National Dark-Sky Week is a great opportunity
to dust off the old telescope from the attic and share in the wonder of the
universe that has been part of the human tradition for thousands of years."
For more information, please visit:
http://www.ndsw.org
http://www.earthhour.org
http://www.earthhourus.org
Tucson, Arizona
Contact: Kim Patten
International Dark-Sky Association
520-293-3198
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2008
2008 National Dark-Sky Week Celebration
Tucson, AZ -- Observance of the sixth annual National Dark-Sky Week will
take place March 29 through April 4. Founded in 2003 by Jennifer Barlow, the
event highlights concern for increasing light pollution -- the "glow" from
outdoor lights that washes out the stars in the night sky. Endorsed by the
International Dark-Sky Association, American Astronomical Society, and the
Astronomical League, event participation grows each year as the public
becomes more aware of light pollution and its effects on our everyday lives
and the environment.
This year, IDA is encouraging everyone to support the World Wildlife Fund's
Earth Hour, occurring on March 29th. In addition, Lights Out America is now
supporting Earth Hour. In past years, various "lights out" campaigns, the
WWF, the National Audubon Society, and other organizations have promoted
events to protect wildlife and conserve energy. Light pollution is a growing
threat, and IDA is encouraged by increased public awareness of the problem
and the increasing number of events highlighting it every year.
National Dark-Sky Week seeks to deter light pollution by encouraging better
overall outdoor lighting practices. Simply turning off unnecessary lighting
for one hour or even a week is only a temporary solution. National Dark-Sky
Week seeks to educate the public about lighting fixtures that help reduce
light pollution by focusing light downward instead of up into the sky.
Also, it is important to always turn off lights when they are not needed and
to only use the right amount of light.
As cities continue to grow, so does light pollution through poor planning
and misuse of outdoor lighting. While light pollution is detrimental to our
ability to observe and enjoy the night sky, it also disrupts the surrounding
natural environment, wastes energy, and has the potential to cause health
problems. "The only way that National Dark-Sky Week can succeed is if more
people participate every year," says Barlow. "No significant reduction in
light pollution can be made unless a great number of people turn off their
lights, shield them, and control how bright they are."
Earth Hour is a global initiative to "turn off the lights" in cities around
the world for one hour, starting at 8 p.m. local time on March 29, 2008.
Earth Hour will demonstrate that by working together, each one of us can
make a positive impact on this global issue. Earth Hour is intended to
bring together a diverse group of community, municipal, corporate and
non-governmental organizations to heighten awareness of the impacts of
climate change on the world and to inspire individuals and businesses to
take practical action to reduce their own carbon footprint.
These campaigns also encourage the public to attend area star parties or
visit a local observatory. But always be careful not to turn out lights that
are necessary for public safety, and when going stargazing, carry a
red-tinted flashlight and stay in a large group.
Twenty-five cities around the world are confirmed to take part in WWF's
Earth Hour climate change: Aalborg, Denmark; Aarhus, Denmark; Adelaide,
Australia; Atlanta, United States; Bangkok, Thailand; Brisbane, Australia;
Canberra, Australia; Chicago, United States; Christchurch, New Zealand;
Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; Haifa, Israel; Manila, Philippines;
Melbourne, Australia; Montreal, Canada; Odense, Denmark; Ottawa, Canada;
Perth, Australia; Phoenix, United States; San Francisco, United States;
Suva, Fiji; Sydney Australia; Tel Aviv, Israel; Toronto, Canada; and
Vancouver, Canada
As Jennifer Barlow observes, "National Dark-Sky Week is a great opportunity
to dust off the old telescope from the attic and share in the wonder of the
universe that has been part of the human tradition for thousands of years."
For more information, please visit:
http://www.ndsw.org
http://www.earthhour.org
http://www.earthhourus.org