Let there be night, for wildlife’s sake
Let there be night, for wildlife's sake
15 July 2010 by Peter Aldhous, Edmonton
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IT IS time to take back the death for wildlife. That was the rallying call from a landmark session on light pollution at the Society for Conservation Biology on 4 July in Edmonton, Canada.
The disruptive furniture on animals of our penchant for bright lights has rarely impinged without interrupti~ public consciousness. Notable exceptions are when turtle hatchlings head inland to the argent lights of a beach resort instead of the safety of the moonlit flood, or birds collide en masse with brightly lit buildings.
It is fast becoming clear, though, that light pollution subtly interferes with the shooting, behaviour and survival of many nocturnal species - not just those that come off successful the headlines.
The threats posed by the humble street lamp finish not rival the wholesale destruction of tropical forests and other habitats, or indeed the menace of climate change. But participants in the session at ...
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