Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

PRESS RELEASE

14 December 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

ROYAL COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION TO STUDY ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IN THE ENVIRONMENT

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution today announced that it will carry out a short study investigating the impacts of artificial light in the environment. 

The Chairman of the Royal Commission, Sir John Lawton, said today:

“The use of artificial light has increased greatly during the last 50 years. Natural light plays a fundamental role in the biology of organisms. Artificial light has the potential to disrupt the biology of many species”.

The subject of artificial light follows naturally from the Commission’s 26th Report in 2007 on The Urban Environment since levels of man-made light are at their greatest in urban areas and can have a profound effect on local environmental quality. However, artificial light is increasingly pervasive and affects large areas of the UK. The Commission expects the new report to focus on:

• Its aesthetic implications
• The effects of artificial light on the natural world
• Its consequences for human health
• Energy use associated with artificial light

The consequences of man-made light for astronomy will not be considered as the Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology’s 2003 report on light pollution and astronomy looked at these in depth.

The Commission welcomes views from anyone who wishes to contribute information or suggestions for other aspects which should be covered. The closing date for submissions is 18th January 2008.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is an independent standing body.  Its terms of reference are to advise on matters, both national and international, concerning the pollution of the environment; the adequacy of research in this field; and the future possibility of danger to the environment. The Chairman is Sir John Lawton FRS.  Members of the Commission are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve part time.

Artificial light in the Environment was selected as a subject for a short study following publication of the Commission’s main study on the Urban Environment (March 2007) in which the importance of artificial light for local environmental quality was highlighted. The study announced today will draw, where appropriate, on conclusions reached in previous reports by the Commission.

The Commission’s previous short studies have been on the environmental impacts of aircraft in flight (2002) and the use of biomass for heat and power production (2004). A special report on crop spraying was published in 2005. The report of the new short study will be published in 2008.

The Government’s 2007 White Paper “Planning for a Sustainable Future” signaled a review of planning guidance. This provides an opportunity for the Commission to inform Government thinking on the subject of man-made light.

The use of artificial light has increased markedly in the past 50 years. Figures obtained by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the British Astronomical Association suggest that between 1993 and 2000 the amount of truly dark night sky in the UK fell from 15% to 11%.

The Commission recognizes that the subject of artificial light in the environment is a large and complex one. For this reason it is seeking information and evidence on the subject.

CONTACT:

The contact for all enquiries about this announcement and the new study is:

Dr Fernley Symons

Secretariat to the Commission

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

5-8 The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3JS

Tel. 0207 799 8987.

Email  fernley.symons@rcep.org.uk