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The Light Pollution Awareness Group (LPAG), which forms part of the International Dark-Sky Association, said that it is high time that measures are taken to reduce light pollution levels in Malta and Gozo. According to the LPAG, Malta’s problem is so extensive that there is currently nowhere in Malta and Gozo where one may observe the night sky without light pollution, unless one goes 30 kilometres out at sea.
The call came following Slovenia’s adoption of its first light pollution law last week, making it one of the new European Union (EU) countries leading efforts at light regulation. Slovenia joined the EU together with Malta in 2004.
“This is greatly reducing the amount of scientific astronomical work which is carried out in Malta as well as being of detriment to the night time ecological environment. It is also a great waste of energy since all light which is thrown into the sky serves no useful purpose other than to highlight Malta’s dismal record in this area,” explained the LPAG, adding that “Chief culprits are non-cutoff streetlighting as well as poorly-designed floodlighting schemes.”
Slovenia’s regulations came about after more than twelve years of strife to adopt suitable outdoor light regulation. The new law is the result of successful coordination between Slovenia’s Environment Ministry and the Government Office for Growth, among other departments, as well as lighting experts and environmentalists.
The new Slovenian law requires the use of fully shielded luminaires, prohibits lighting above the horizontal for most types of fixtures, limits the direction of lighting into residential dwellings, requires reduction in the amount of energy used for public lighting and states that lighting should only be used where necessary and during the hours needed. Buildings considered a part of cultural heritage, including many churches, will be illuminated to a lesser extent.
The expected benefits from the new law include energy cost savings of up to €10 million per year with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
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