My story begins in the backwoods of Kentucky USA, where the clear, unpolluted night sky was my childhood playground. Gazing at the diamonds sprinkling the infinite celestial canvas made me feel a sense of wonder and hope in the world, a feeling that seems to be fading in our increasingly urbanized and light-polluted planet.

Today, I petition for the creation of "Space Day", a global holiday devoted to reducing light pollution. On this day, everyone around the world will be encouraged to turn off their lights and admire the beauty of our universe, in the hopes of fostering a sense of awe and appreciation for the cosmos that nurtured us.

According to the International Dark-Sky Association, 80% of the world's population live under skyglow. In the United States and Europe, 99% of the public can't experience a natural night sky because of light pollution (Falchi et al., Science Advances, 2016). Not only does this deprive us of the inspiring spectacle that our ancestors grew up with, but many species, including humans, need darkness for survival as it regulates our sleep cycles and health (Gaston et al., Biological Reviews, 2013).

"Space Day" could be a step towards rectifying this. It could remind us of our humble place in the universe, inspire young minds to explore the realms of science and astronomy, and more importantly, draw attention to the urgent issue of light pollution and the need for sustainable lighting practices.

For the love of the stars that instill hope, wonder, and perspective, for the future of our home, Earth, and our inherent right to see the universe in its primal state, we urge global leaders to establish "Space Day" as an international holiday. Your signature is a beacon that can light the way to a brighter, yet darker future. Please sign this petition.



Sources:

https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600377

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23565807/



Image source:

https://unsplash.com/photos/star-gazing-photography-kFy1Aip0eEo?utm_content=creditShareLink&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash