While awareness of man-made pollutants and their environmental impact may be rising exponentially, one source of contamination remains largely unaddressed. Light pollution is the wasteful and obtrusive emission of artificial light, and it can have disastrous consequences for the affected local environments. It not only disrupts animal populations, wastes energy, and ultimately degrades urban living; light pollution also blocks the night sky from astronomers and hopeful stargazers.
As part of its commitment to educate the public on this environmental threat, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has published “The Environmental Impact of Light Pollution and its Abatement, as a special supplement to its internationally recognized periodical, the Journal. Featuring the latest information surrounding light pollution’s causes and associated health risks, the report will also present the new technological, social, and political solutions to help us move towards a future with a more benign use of artificial light at night.
This special issue will be distributed to all RASC members, as well as to a global readership of parks, conservationists, environmentalists, Canadian astronomy clubs, government agencies and the media (to order a copy, please visit http://www.rasc.ca/jrasc).
Kate Fane
Marketing Coordinator
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
mempub@rasc.ca
+1 416-924-7973, +1 888-924-7272
Founded in 1868, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is Canada’s leading astronomy organization bringing together more than 4,000 enthusiastic amateurs, educators and professionals. RASC and its 29 Centres across Canada offer both national and local programming and services. The RASC’s vision is to inspire curiosity in all Canadians about the universe, to share scientific knowledge, and to foster collaboration in astronomical pursuits.
This project was funded under the Business Innovation – Print Component of the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF).