In the fight against light pollution, “constituents make a difference,” says John Barentine. “What we’re missing is political will. We can reverse light pollution tomorrow. Nobody suffers when we decrease light pollution.”
The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition is a group focused on “celebrating, promoting, and protecting night skies,” says Chris Luginbuhl, the organization’s president. The first two verbs are key — they help build coalitions. And over time, conversation — not confrontation — can do wonders.
Change requires citizens who are, in the words of James Lowenthal, “patient, persistent, and polite.” By speaking up, meeting with officials, and engaging the public in star parties, he says, this daunting issue can become both “winnable and fun.”
Lowenthal advocates taking guidelines on responsible lighting to community centers, schools, and other institutions. Tiffany…
