Guardians of the Night: Part 5
May 2025
At DW Windsor, we remain committed to responsible lighting practices. To further this commitment, we recently interviewed leading Dark Sky experts and consolidated their insights into a five-part series called Guardians of the Night. These articles illuminate the impact of light pollution and propose practical steps to mitigate it. Grounded in expert knowledge and research, these recommendations serve as a guiding framework for sustainable nighttime lighting solutions.
Part Five - Light pollution: future trends and required actions and responsibilities
The following article provides insights into how practices and approaches to limiting light pollution will evolve over the coming years, and how organisations, local authorities, and governments play a crucial part in this.
Expected trends and developments in relation to light pollution and sustainability
Awareness of dark skies has drastically improved in recent years, driven by campaigns from associations and organisations. Additionally, lighting manufacturers, specifiers, and suppliers, including DW Windsor, have made it a key focus within their ethical standards and values.
However, various aspects of dark skies knowledge and remedial actions are at different development stages. “We need access to varying toolkits to facilitate different standards. For example, nature, industry, and people all require different research and guidance. But finding the balance between them in the sense of the circular economy and energy efficiencies leans more towards sustainability efforts. So, it’s about finding a product that does it all” (Asfuroglu, 2024).
So, although plenty of research is available, how it is collated and presented to communities and organisations will make the difference in helping to increase public awareness” (Tonkin, 2024).
One of the best ways to achieve this is through live examples showing how, with the right approach, it can be easily accomplished. Take, for example, the “Red Sea project, which was an empty piece of land with the vision to construct hotels, roads, hospitals, and so on to build a healthy community and population. From day one, dark skies were a key driver and ensured that the Milky Way was still going to be visible following construction. If we can build a city from scratch and not change the atmosphere, we can do it anywhere” (Bissell, 2024).
However, for many, the concept of seeing the Milky Way is unobtainable due to their residential circumstances. So, “while this is important, the majority of people will care about issues surrounding their own health and safety, and the impact on nature. Furthermore, energy costs will also force change as LEDs offer the opportunity to reduce lighting at night” (Oakley, 2024).
Positively, many countries have already taken action to implement more thoughtful and sustainable approaches. “Around twenty countries have adopted light pollution indicators into law, and it is growing to protect Indigenous communities and cultures. In the next three years, we will see the results of the countries that have adopted the laws, and with the light pollution map of Europe coming soon, this will further evidence how and where positive changes can be implemented” (Yakushina, 2024).
“Energy consumption, dark skies, and lighting in general are not the end result or the main concern. It’s how we link these together for a rounded approach that will create the outcome that is needed” (Asfuroglu, 2024).
Emerging industry developments and innovations in lighting design
As further impact assessments are conducted and technology continues to evolve, there will be an increased demand for lighting that meets dark sky approval and consumer demand. This means changes will increasingly impact lighting, from concept through to application (Mazhar, 2024):
- Advances in Spectral Control: LED technology will continue evolving, focusing on reducing blue light emissions. This progress is crucial for minimising light pollution while maintaining effective illumination.
- Emergence of Circadian Lighting Design: There will be a heightened emphasis on circadian lighting principles, integrating natural light rhythms into artificial lighting systems to enhance human health and well-being.
- Biomimicry-inspired Lighting: Designers will increasingly draw inspiration from nature to create lighting solutions that mimic natural light patterns. These innovations aim to minimise disruption to wildlife and ecosystems, such as fixtures replicating the soft, filtered light found under tree canopies.
- Adaptive Camouflage Lighting: Inspired by natural camouflage mechanisms in animals, future lighting systems could dynamically adjust their appearance and intensity based on environmental conditions and human activity. This adaptive camouflage not only conserves energy, but also mitigates light pollution by blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
- Bio-responsive Lighting Controls: Advances in sensor technology and biometric data analysis may enable lighting systems to respond to biological cues, such as the presence of nocturnal animals or the natural sleep-wake cycles of nearby inhabitants.
Obviously, education is about giving active information, but it also creates an environment for self-discovery and curiosity. If people don’t have the opportunity to experience the impact of dark skies on the environment, how will they know to protect something they have never seen?
—Kerem Asfuroglu, Dark Source
The role of local authorities, organisations, and governments
As with all movements that require collective change, messaging and actions must come from the top down. This requires greater collaboration and organisation of change and projects so that it creates a consistent and succinct message. Take, for example, the “Presteigne project," which began as a small local astronomy movement but grew into something much greater, eventually attracting a broad audience. It’s about rethinking how to communicate these things. Different entities, lighting, environment, astronomy, etc., were working in parallel, and are now working together” (Asfuroglu, 2024).
Practically, local authorities, organisations, and governments can foster greater collaboration and understanding through “addressing ROLAN requirements in plans” (Tonkin, 2024), “having conversations and providing education in every department for construction and design before a project starts” (Bissell, 2024). Furthermore, “local authorities should consider designating areas or communities with DarkSky International. This provides an award for places that achieve the necessary protection and access requirements for a dark sky” (Oakley, 2024). As a result, it will open the doors for greater knowledge and commitment to not only dark skies, but also other environmental protection efforts and conservations.
Those initial conversations could start as early as in education. “Obviously, education is about giving active information, but it also creates an environment for self-discovery and curiosity. If people don’t have the opportunity to experience the impact of dark skies on the environment, how will they know to protect something they have never seen?” (Asfuroglu, 2024). This includes not only “curriculums, but also community workshops, events, and proactive campaigns on local council and government websites” (Yakushina, 2024). But it doesn’t need to be as formal as that. Raising awareness and curiosity can be as simple as sharing information about special interest groups such as UK Dark Skies, CFDS, and APPG. It will encourage people to be more considerate of their environment and to take inspiration from the ten policies within APPG for dark skies” (Oakley, 2024).
It is therefore “essential for the government to engage actively and innovatively in promoting the practical benefits of preserving dark skies. Government bodies can illuminate community understanding of light pollution and sustainability with innovative approaches tailored to capture attention and drive change. Picture this, hosting interactive light pollution 'escape rooms' where participants solve puzzles related to light conservation, collaborating with local artists to create illuminated public art installations that raise awareness about the impacts of excessive lighting, launching a 'Dark Sky Ambassador' program where volunteers organise stargazing events in protected areas, highlighting the beauty of unpolluted night skies, and implementing a 'Lights Off, Stars On' initiative in urban parks and recreation areas, inviting residents to experience the magic of natural darkness. These creative initiatives not only educate, but also inspire communities to take ownership in preserving our nocturnal environment for future generations” (Mazhar, 2024).
About the authors
Andrew is a past president of the Society of Light and Lighting and a Partner at Ridge and Partners LLP. He has worked in lighting design since 1996, currently leading Ridge’s lighting design team. During his presidency, Andrew developed guidance to protect the night sky, supported early-career professionals, and raised the profile of lighting specialists within the construction industry. His projects span various sectors, focusing on improved design processes, enhanced environments for both people and wildlife, and reduced energy use and material waste. More recently, Andrew has contributed to large-scale Dark Sky initiatives in the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Kerem is the founder of Dark Source, an award-winning lighting design studio in the UK and Ireland guided by environmental principles. After earning an MA in Architectural Lighting Design from Wismar University in 2010, he spent 7.5 years at Speirs Major before establishing Dark Source in 2019. Named a Dark Sky Defender by Dark Sky International, Kerem has led projects such as the Plas Y Brenin Outdoor Centre, Presteigne Dark Sky Community, Newport Dark Sky Masterplan, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley, and Dark Sky Planning Guidelines for Cumbria. His work highlights low-impact solutions that harmonise built environments with nature.
Yana is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent under the Horizon EU PLAN-B project, where she also serves as one of the scientific coordinators. Yana specialises in light pollution regulations and space law, leading and contributing to international projects on the development of the protection of the nocturnal environment, and collaborating with various organisations, including the Space Court Foundation Inc., the EU Commission, DarkSky International, Starlight Foundation, the International Astronomical Union, and UNOOSA. In 2023, she co-founded the Belgian dark sky organisation Living Night (DarkSky Chapter).
Dan Oakley is a dark sky expert and founding director of Darkscape Consulting. He previously served as the Dark Sky Officer at the South Downs National Park Authority, overseeing the IDA International Dark Sky “Moore's” Reserve application and developing planning policies and technical guidance. Dan chairs the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Places Committee and is a founding member of IDA-UK. He also established and coordinates the UK Dark Skies Partnership to reduce light pollution. With degrees in physics, wildlife management, and environmental policy, Dan has earned multiple accolades, including the IDA Dark Sky Defender award.
Hiba is an award-winning Architectural Lighting Designer based in Dubai, contributing to innovative lighting solutions for international public, urban, and interior projects with a focus on sustainability and dark sky practices. Recognised for her pioneering work, Hiba's research titled "Reimagining Traditional City Lighting with New Light Recipes to Confiscate Light Pollution" was presented at SLL CIBSE 2022, earning her a finalist position in the CIBSE Research Competition. Her research also highlighted the effects of city lighting on animals. Hiba’s accolades include the SIGNIFY Global Lighting Design Awards 2021 and an “Honourable Mention” in the LIT Awards 2022. By merging technical expertise with creative vision, she is redefining architectural lighting, championing designs that safeguard ecosystems and enhance urban landscapes.
Steve is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society who has authored numerous articles and books on practical astronomy. For over 40 years, he has taught astronomy to adults and children, sharing his passion through lectures, workshops, and hands-on sessions. He serves as the Dark Skies Advisor to both the Federation of Astronomical Societies and the International Dark Sky Reserve at Cranborne Chase National Landscape. In addition to speaking at astronomical societies in Britain and abroad, he regularly addresses Rotary, Probus, and U3A groups. Steve also writes a monthly column for BBC Sky at Night Magazine, reviewing equipment and literature.