The future of lighting is better if it’s dim

Presenter(s): Mike Chapman

Affiliation(s): Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society

Session details: Saturday, 2016-03-26 03:00:00, LT106

Abstract

Humans have created an environment illuminated by non-solar light. The need for illumination has come about from various needs and the resultant levels of illumination have often attempted to parallel the levels achieved during daylight. In recent times, Standards and Regulations developed to guide lighting design for particular situations are seen to be insufficient in prescriptive detail. The recent changes in lighting technologies suggest that there is a need to reassess how humans interact with an environment lit by non-daylight methods. As population centres continue to grow, the spread of light at night is not moderated and the only possible trend is for an increase in the use of light at night. The issues surrounding light pollution can only be exacerbated. The only solution to reducing potential light pollution aside from legislative control is to develop new ways of using light to satisfy current usage applications. Ideas for supplanting existing lighting applications with new technologies will be examined using a combination of ideas in lighting preferences, technical innovations and identifying specific primary causes of light pollution.

Biography

Mike has been involved with amateur astronomy since 1985 when he joined the British Astronomical Association New South Wales Branch. Now he’s the President of Sydney City Skywatchers and the Secretary of Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society (SOLIS). SOLIS works to engender an understanding of light pollution within the community by lobbying councils over issues involving lighting. SOLIS has strong links to the International Dark Sky Association and similar bodies around the world. Mike is also in his final year of a Masters degree in Illumination Design at Sydney University.