Robert L. Gent, International Dark-Sky Association

Until recently, light pollution has been a little known environmental problem.
Glare, light trespass, and energy waste are the primary ingredients of poorly
designed outdoor lighting.  In addition, light pollution causes the  loss of our
beautiful, star filled, night skies, and it adversely impacts professional
astronomical research.

Ongoing studies indicate there may be serious impacts on human health, and
light pollution adversely impacts many forms of nocturnal wildlife.  There is a
growing awareness of the problem internationally, and an increasing number
of communities are passing lighting laws and standards to control outdoor
lighting.

In February 2002, the Czech Republic passed a national law to control light
pollution.   In 2000, the Lombardy Parliament of Italy, passed a comprehensive
law on outdoor lighting.  Other legislative acts have been enacted in Spain,
Chile, Japan, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe.

In the United States of America, many laws have passed at the state, city and
county levels. For example, the state of New Mexico passed a "Night Sky
Protection Act" in 1999.  Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and other states
in the USA have enacted new laws, too.

Momentum is building, as hundreds of other municipalities around the globe are
taking actions to promote responsible outdoor lighting.  IDA's membership is
growing, too, and it now exceeds 10,000 members from 75 countries, a clear
indication that awareness is expanding internationally.