Light pollution is one of the fastest growing and most pervasive forms of environmental pollution and can have lasting health effects on humans and animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates 5–50 million birds die each year from collisions with communication towers due to bright lights, and many studies have been done to determine the links to cancer and disease in humans from light pollution. Light photons must hit the retina for biologic effects to occur, and in an area with high levels of artificial light at night there is more risk of exposure of the retina to photons that might disrupt the natural circadian cycle mammals posses. Almost all of us awaken during the night for periods of time, and unless we have blackout shades there is some electric lighting coming in our windows.

Light pollution comes in many forms, including sky glow, light trespass, glare, and over illumination. Sky glow is the bright halo that appears over urban areas at night, a product of light being scattered by water droplets or particles in the air. Light trespass occurs when unwanted artificial light from, for instance, a floodlight or streetlight spills onto an adjacent property, lighting an area that would otherwise be dark. Glare is created by light that shines horizontally. Overillumination refers to the use of artificial light well beyond what is required for a specific activity, such as keeping the lights on all night at warehouse buildings. The ecologic effects of artificial light have been well documented. Light pollution has been shown to affect both flora and fauna. Research on insects, turtles, birds, fish, reptiles, and other wildlife species shows that light pollution can alter behaviors, foraging areas, and breeding cycles, and not just in urban centers but in rural areas as well.

A lighting ordinance in our community could be used to enforce such restrictions as:

 - Incorporating lighting zones that classify land use with appropriate lighting levels for each. Zones range from LZ0, designed for pristine natural environments and limited outdoor lighting, to LZ4, for limited application in areas of extensive development in the largest cities

 - Limits on the amount of light used for each property

 - Designating specific lighting curfews on buildings with excessive light pollution to require lighting be turned off or be motion sensor activated

For decades, Carlisle and the surrounding townships have been losing the night sky to excessive light pollution.  Please sign my petition to ask Carlisle Borough and Cumberland County officials to adopt a Model Lighting Ordinance and restore our night sky.