News of a new parliamentary group on light pollution and dark skies
A recent BAA newsletter had the item below on a new parliamentary group on light pollution and their appeal for "proposals and evidence" on dark sky preservation and light pollution. The article asks for this group to be publicised within local astronomical societies.
Chris H
Help Speed Government Action on Light Pollution
Bob Mizon, our man at the BAA Commission for Dark Skies, is drawing our attention to the recently formed All-Party Parliamentary Dark Skies Group of MPs’ consultation at https://appgdarkskies.co.uk/dark-skies-consultation
The deadline for submissions is September 27 2020.
In January 2020 a group of 22 concerned MPs formed the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies (appgdarkskies.co.uk). This is of course very good news for all who choose to fight light pollution.
The APPG's stated aim is “to fight light pollution and to protect our dark skies for future generations”. Its co-chairs are Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel & South Downs, and Lord Rees of Ludlow, the Astronomer Royal. The APPG provides a forum for parliamentarians and organisations across the public, private and third sectors to work together to discuss issues regarding the visibility of the night sky and promote the adoption of dark sky friendly lighting and planning policies. It focuses principally on efforts to preserve the night sky within the UK but also includes international issues within its remit.
The APPG for Dark Skies is seeking proposals and evidence from a range of stakeholders with expertise and experience in the subject of dark sky preservation and light pollution. They state:
"The purpose of this consultation is to collect information, to identify the main threats and challenges that the cause of dark sky preservation faces in the UK, and identify the most effective and actionable ways in which legislators and policy makers can seek to address these challenges – for example, but not limited to the compliance and planning policy frameworks. It will explore the environmental, economic, energy and health consequences of light pollution.
The result of this consultation will be to produce the APPG’s first policy plan since being established in January this year. It will provide a basis for the focus of our campaigns, policy briefs and the language that our extensive group of Parliamentary members use. They have published guidelines for making a submission on their website.
Please contact the APPG Coordinator Chris Cook (chris.cook@PROTECTED) with any further questions."
BAA President Alan Lorrain comments, "The creation of the APPG for Dark Skies is a huge opportunity for us as amateur astronomers to have our say with regard to the effects of light pollution on both astronomy and the wider natural world. Many of you will be involved with local astronomical societies, either on committees or as members and I would urge you to publicise the setting up of this group and to submit your views to them, following the guidelines."
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Chris Holt, Secretary, Abingdon Astronomical Society Date:
