Light Pollution Mitigation for Scotland
The Issue
Light pollution has always been an issue for us who look to the stars, but its impacts are much more unknown to the general public.
It is no longer about losing our view of the Milky Way. Modern, unshielded blue-white LED street lighting is actively disrupting our ecosystems, wasting energy, and creating a documented decline in public health. High Kelvin artificial blue light suppresses melatonin production in our bodies, which has been linked to a 30% increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes along with a 14% increased risk of certain cancers.
Right now, Scotland lacks a unified, legally binding national framework to regulate artificial light. While the recent work in the Highlands to implement a policy like what we, the Scottish Dark Skies Committee propose, a unified framework will ensure all of Scotland can receive the same regulations against light pollution. And we as a committee for this campaign have been in touch with Strathnairn Stargazers who are a big player in what's happening in the Highlands who have agreed to support us alongside several other astronomy establishments nationwide.
The Scottish Dark Skies Committee (SDSC) - backed by said growing coalition of astronomy societies and dark sky groups, is calling on the Scottish Government to implement a clear, health conscious legislation:
A 2200K colour temperature standard (Give or take 100K) for all future public and street lighting to eliminate harmful blue-white light wavelengths alongside a 5 step MacAdam Ellipse standard to insure the variation in this lighting proposal is kept nothing more than consistent.
We also propose light pollution be treated with the same regulations as noise and air pollution, dark skies should be recognised as a natural and protected resource within the NPPF, and this lighting should be installed responsibly, and only where needed to make sure it’s not a waste of money.
These lights should preferably be closer to the ground, and should be directed 100% at the ground where it is needed with the use of caps on the top to prevent any light leaking upwards and causing waste and sky-glow.
By signing this petition you are helping in urging the Scottish Parliament to mandate these simple, effective lighting design principles into a national planning policy. Let's protect Scotland's health, biodiversity, and beautiful night skies before the end of 2026. Visit our website for some more information on our initiative.
Sign today to reclaim our dark skies and benefit the country.
Our website: https://scotdarkskies.org
508
The Issue
Light pollution has always been an issue for us who look to the stars, but its impacts are much more unknown to the general public.
It is no longer about losing our view of the Milky Way. Modern, unshielded blue-white LED street lighting is actively disrupting our ecosystems, wasting energy, and creating a documented decline in public health. High Kelvin artificial blue light suppresses melatonin production in our bodies, which has been linked to a 30% increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes along with a 14% increased risk of certain cancers.
Right now, Scotland lacks a unified, legally binding national framework to regulate artificial light. While the recent work in the Highlands to implement a policy like what we, the Scottish Dark Skies Committee propose, a unified framework will ensure all of Scotland can receive the same regulations against light pollution. And we as a committee for this campaign have been in touch with Strathnairn Stargazers who are a big player in what's happening in the Highlands who have agreed to support us alongside several other astronomy establishments nationwide.
The Scottish Dark Skies Committee (SDSC) - backed by said growing coalition of astronomy societies and dark sky groups, is calling on the Scottish Government to implement a clear, health conscious legislation:
A 2200K colour temperature standard (Give or take 100K) for all future public and street lighting to eliminate harmful blue-white light wavelengths alongside a 5 step MacAdam Ellipse standard to insure the variation in this lighting proposal is kept nothing more than consistent.
We also propose light pollution be treated with the same regulations as noise and air pollution, dark skies should be recognised as a natural and protected resource within the NPPF, and this lighting should be installed responsibly, and only where needed to make sure it’s not a waste of money.
These lights should preferably be closer to the ground, and should be directed 100% at the ground where it is needed with the use of caps on the top to prevent any light leaking upwards and causing waste and sky-glow.
By signing this petition you are helping in urging the Scottish Parliament to mandate these simple, effective lighting design principles into a national planning policy. Let's protect Scotland's health, biodiversity, and beautiful night skies before the end of 2026. Visit our website for some more information on our initiative.
Sign today to reclaim our dark skies and benefit the country.
Our website: https://scotdarkskies.org
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Petition created on 4 June 2026