Dimming Lights Might Not Be Dim

February 17, 2007 · Filed Under News 

The Highways Agency has today reported that they’re considering implementing dimming or switching off road lighting after midnight in an attempt to save energy (The BBC). Road Safety campaigners are concerned by the proposal and according to the report any dimming, or even switching off of the lights, would need to be offset against crime and safety concerns.

What’s interesting about the report today is that over a month ago a similar scheme was announced in Devon, who have had problems with increased light pollution as reported back in 2003 also by The BBC.

Whilst, dimming lights and converting street lighting to renewable energy sources is a great idea, this idea also needs to be applied to buildings and businesses who insist on illuminating the night sky.

Dimming lights in a city to save energy isn’t a new idea. In 2005, New York was encouraged to dim lights in dozens of skyscrapers in an attempt to save birds - who for whatever reason seemed to like flying into the buildings. According to the report, again by The BBC, The Empire State Building has been dimming their lights since 1975.

Rome, also back in 2005, undertook a plan to reduce light pollution and save energy. According to the report shops were to be encouraged to turn off internal lights, whilst the government aimed to reduce the radiance of their 140,000 street lights.

Neon light pollution has also been kept in check in Madrid. Businesses in the Spanish capital have been ordered to tone down their brightness or face fines. The move was not aimed at saving energy however, but to improve the look of the city.

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One Response to “Dimming Lights Might Not Be Dim”

  1. Lights Go Out In Australia on February 20th, 2007 11:02 pm

    [...] on from the idea of dimming lights to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions, Australia have taken a further step in the fight against [...]

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