Each evening, I can easily switch off the lights in my room, yet I remain powerless against the outdoor illumination from walkways and parking lots that seeps through my curtains. Residing in Portland, where the night is perpetually brightened by street lamps, porch lighting, and parking lot glare, I have almost forgotten the sensation of sleeping in complete darkness.
My anticipation grew when I realized my upcoming residency in southeastern Oregon would offer me a glimpse of a night sky I hadn’t witnessed in years. Nestled in the Oregon wilderness, which is part of the International Dark Sky Places network, I would be enveloped by 2.5 million acres of pristine night sky in all directions.
Excitedly, I reached out to fellow residents to see if anyone would like to join me for stargazing. To my delight, everyone expressed interest. About thirty minutes post-sunset, we ventured through the tall grass onto the arid lakebed. Those equipped with headlamps switched them to red mode to preserve our night vision. We spread out our blankets and gazed at the celestial expanse together. Just over the hills, we spotted Venus and Vega shining brightly above us, along with numerous satellites whose movements revealed their artificial nature. Their brightness consistently captured my attention.
As darkness deepened, constellations began to emerge: Ursa Major and Minor, Cygnus, Cassiopeia. When the Milky Way unveiled itself, a luminous band rising from the night, we fell into a hushed awe. We witnessed one shooting star, then another, as I lay back on my blanket, overwhelmed by the vastness of the universe.
The night sky is brightening by approximately 10% each year, with around 80% of the global population residing under light-polluted skies. While the United Nations has declared clean air and water as fundamental human rights, I contend that the right to darkness should also be recognized.
This does not imply that every streetlight should be extinguished. However, do we truly require glaring white floodlights at every garage entrance? By replacing existing fixtures with appropriately bright lights that serve their purpose without excess, I wouldn’t have to embark on a long drive just to witness the night sky in its natural glory.
To protect our darkness, regulations are necessary regarding the warmth of lights, their directionality, and brightness levels. It would involve refraining from installing multiple lights when a single one suffices. Acknowledging our need for darkness would encourage us to be more judicious in our efforts to dispel it.
Some communities have already taken steps in this direction. Flagstaff, Arizona, was the pioneer in establishing outdoor lighting regulations as early as 1958. By 2001, Flagstaff earned the distinction of being the first recognized Dark Sky City, implementing rules that govern light usage, types, and placement.
Other cities in the United States and beyond have begun to follow suit. New York State is currently contemplating a Dark Skies Protection Act, which would impose restrictions on outdoor lighting, even affecting the city that is famously known as the city that never sleeps. Safeguarding the night sky in your vicinity may simply require the initiative to enforce a new zoning law or guidelines for the brightness of automobile headlights.
Access to darkness is not merely about appreciating the stars. The night serves as a vital habitat. Artificial lighting disorients wildlife that relies on the moon for navigation—such as baby sea turtles that mistakenly head toward parking lots instead of the ocean, or moths that become entrapped in circular flights around light bulbs. Lightning bugs and frogs depend on darkness for their mating rituals, while migratory birds can be led astray by the bright lights of urban areas.
The repercussions of light pollution extend even into daylight hours, becoming increasingly apparent. Studies indicate that light pollution disrupts the relationship between flora and pollinators, alters the timing of tree flowering, and disturbs the circadian rhythms of all living beings, including humans. Research has shown that we require darkness to recuperate, rest, and maintain our health.
The majority of light pollution stems from streetlights, buildings, parking areas, and sports facilities that remain illuminated throughout the night. However, there is an emerging threat from space, as the number of satellites in orbit increases. While the regulations of the Dark Sky Sanctuary allowed me to admire the Milky Way that night, they cannot mitigate the impact of the growing fleet of satellites adorning the night sky.
Implementing dark-friendly practices, such as ensuring that nightlights are appropriately directed and shielded, will not address the issue posed by over 11,000 Starlink satellites currently orbiting Earth, nor will it counteract efforts from companies aiming to provide artificial sunlight via satellites covering large areas of the planet. Notably, objects launched into space are not subject to environmental reviews, even when they affect life on Earth.
The stars represent our collective history. They have served as navigational aids, calendars, omens, and landmarks. In times past, the constellations guided people home in the darkness. Today, the night sky has become a destination for those willing to travel. In our increasingly urbanized world, the night sky remains elusive for many who lack the time or means to seek it out.
Access to darkness is becoming a luxury, yet it is a right that can be reclaimed for everyone. Advocating for a right to darkness doesn’t imply that every city would resemble the rural Oregon wilderness; rather, it could allow for a few more visible stars after sundown, enable more wildlife to thrive, and inspire us all to look up once again—regardless of where we find ourselves.
