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At a recent Colonial Place and Riverview Civic League meeting, Citizens for Responsible Lighting (CRL), with a presentation led by Lori Baccanari, provided information on Norfolk’s ongoing transition to LED street lighting. CRL focuses on ensuring that this conversion process is managed responsibly to avoid potential hazards associated with improper LED installations.
The transition to LED streetlights offers several benefits:
Energy Efficiency: LEDs consume up to 85% less energy than traditional lighting systems.
Improved Visibility: LEDs provide clearer illumination and help reduce glare.
Consistent Performance: LEDs maintain their efficiency and brightness over their lifespan.
Environmental Impact: LEDs reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use less energy, and last three times longer than conventional lights.
However, LED lights vary in their color output, which is measured in Kelvins (K). The color temperature of LEDs affects safety, health, and environmental outcomes. CRL emphasizes that high-Kelvin, blue-spectrum LED lights can negatively impact residents, wildlife, and night sky visibility.
Blue-spectrum LED lights can cause several issues, including:
Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Exposure to blue light at night can suppress melatonin production, affecting sleep quality.
Impact on Wildlife: Birds, insects, and nocturnal animals are sensitive to blue-spectrum lighting, which can disrupt their natural behaviors.
Increased Glare and Reduced Safety: Bright, blue-spectrum lights can cause discomfort and hinder nighttime visibility.
Experts, such as the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), recommend streetlights with a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 3000K or lower. These lights produce a warm white glow that is safer for people and wildlife.
Citizens for Responsible Lighting focuses on the following goals:
Educating Residents: Informing the public about the risks associated with high-Kelvin blue-spectrum LEDs.
Promoting Appropriate LED Lights: Advocating for warm-spectrum streetlights with CCT ratings between 1000K and 3000K.
Encouraging Expert Consultation: Recommending that the city work with qualified lighting experts to ensure a successful LED conversion process.
For more information or to participate in CRL’s efforts, contact them at CRL.norfolk@gmail.com.
For more information on responsible lighting practices, consider exploring these resources:
DarkSky Approved | DarkSky International
Guidance for Homeowners Associations | DarkSky International
Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science 2024
Light Pollution Harms Wildlife and Ecosystems
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