Working Towards A World Of Dark Skies

Light pollution caused by excessive artificial external illumination during the hours of darkness is having an adverse effect on the global ecosystem. It disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, contributes to climate change and, at a time when no-one can afford to waste money and energy, it does just that.

Lighting manufacturers have a significant role to play in helping to reduce the impact of light pollution by designing and producing products that minimize glare and reduce light trespass.

As well as engaging with cities and communities to encourage them to adopt responsible lighting policies, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is working closely with manufacturers, including Ansell, to educate them on lighting design with the goal of protecting and restoring the natural night environment. To encourage responsible manufacturing the IDA has developed the Fixture Seal of Approval program to provide objective, third-party certification to products that are dark sky friendly, are fully shielded and minimise the amount of blue light in the night-time environment.

Ansell has recently been awarded the Fixture Seal of Approval on 12 of its external luminaires, including the warm white version of its latest wallpack, Wolf. Specifically designed to deliver wide lighting distribution for optimum spacing and uniformity outdoors, Wolf features advanced lens technology which also provides enhanced glare control and ensures minimal (less than 1%) up light and light pollution helping with Dark Skies compliance.

With eight out of ten people now living under light-polluted night sky, manufacturers are playing their part in helping to fight to reclaim dark skies.