Target: Natalie Phelps Finnie, Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Goal: Combat light pollution in rural areas of Illinois, preserving natural night skies.
The issue at hand is the adverse impact of light pollution on the pristine night skies of rural Illinois. Excessive artificial lighting disrupts the natural order of the nocturnal environment, affecting both wildlife and the human experience. This intrusion of light robs us of the profound beauty of starry nights and threatens the delicate balance of local ecosystems.
In many rural areas of Illinois, uncontrolled or poorly managed lighting sources have intensified, obscuring the night sky with excessive glare. This not only impairs stargazing opportunities, affecting the quality of life for residents and tourists, but it also disrupts the natural behavior of nocturnal wildlife, such as birds, bats, and insects. These creatures rely on the darkness of the night to navigate, reproduce, and feed. The constant glow from light pollution disorients them, leading to detrimental consequences for these species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
The consequences of light pollution extend beyond aesthetics and ecology; it also has energy and economic ramifications. Wasteful and excessive outdoor lighting contributes to unnecessary energy consumption and associated costs. This is a preventable burden on local communities, as well as an avoidable source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sign the petition below to demand that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources take decisive action to combat light pollution in rural areas. Let us preserve natural night skies for current and future generations.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director Finnie,
We write to express deep concern about the encroaching light pollution in rural areas of Illinois. The beauty of natural night skies is an invaluable asset, and it is under threat from excessive and unregulated artificial lighting.
The impact of light pollution goes beyond aesthetics; it disrupts the delicate balance of the ecosystems, affecting the nocturnal wildlife that relies on darkness for their survival. Birds, bats, insects, and other creatures face disorientation, which can lead to severe consequences for their populations and the ecosystems they support.
Moreover, excessive outdoor lighting is not only wasteful, but also imposes unnecessary economic burdens on the communities. We believe that it is in the best interest of both the natural heritage and the local economies to combat light pollution.
We respectfully urge you to take swift and effective action by implementing stringent regulations that address this growing concern. Let us preserve the pristine night skies of rural Illinois for the benefit of all.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Giant Ginkgo
We used to have owls hunting at night in our neighborhood and now that everyone has to light up their yard like its a space port or something we do not see any owls. We are seeing a lot more squirrels, mice and rabbits, something no one wants but nobody wants to turn their lights off either. Hint: burglars want you to NOT be home when they arrive, they prefer the daylight while you’re at work, much easier for them so your lights aren’t doing that much good, leave a few of them off.