Light pollution is an important issue as cities and towns continue to grow and expand. It can be detrimental to the natural environment, particularly to wildlife. Two hot topics concerning light pollution are the impact of artificial lighting on the darkness of the night sky, and the effect of lighting on sea turtles. Justice Design offers ceramic lighting solutions for both; keep reading to learn more.
Dark sky lighting is a type of lighting that is designed to reduce light pollution and preserve the darkness of the night sky. Justice Design offers a wide selection of dark sky lighting fixtures to meet this demand. This is important for a number of reasons; firstly, the darkness of the night sky has been shown to have a positive impact on human health, well-being, and sleep. Exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to a range of health problems, including insomnia, depression, and obesity.
Secondly, light pollution can have a significant impact on wildlife. Many species of birds, insects, and mammals rely on the natural cycles of light and dark to navigate, find food, and mate. Artificial light at night can disrupt these cycles and have a negative impact on these species, especially in environments close to the coast. Sea turtle nesting beaches are one example of a protected wildlife community.
Dark sky lighting is designed to reduce the amount of light that is emitted into the sky, while still providing adequate lighting for safety and security. This can be achieved through a range of measures, including the use of shields to direct light downwards, the use of dimmer switches, and the use of low-wattage bulbs. Keep in mind that each dark sky community has its own requirements and guidelines.
The second topic of light pollution concerns the impact of lighting on sea turtles. Sea turtles are one of the oldest living species on the planet, but they are now considered to be endangered. One of the biggest threats to sea turtles is artificial lighting on the beach.
Sea turtles use the natural light of the moon to navigate to the ocean after hatching. Artificial lighting on the beach can disorientate the hatchlings and lead them away from the ocean, where they are at risk of dehydration and predation.
Turtle-friendly lighting is designed to reduce the impact of artificial lighting on sea turtles. This can be achieved through a range of measures, including using lighting fixtures that reduce the amount of light that is emitted upwards. Justice Design offers a range of ceramic lighting that is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for safe use next to turtle nesting beaches and other ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Ceramic Large ADA Cylinder Wall Sconce (shown below). Note that these fixtures must be installed with a wildlife certified amber bulb for correct application.
Ceramic lighting fixtures are a great option for dark sky and turtle-friendly lighting, largely due to their durability and customizability. Ceramic is an incredibly strong and durable natural material that can withstand the harsh conditions of the beach environment, including high winds, saltwater, and sand. Ceramic fixtures are also resistant to rust and corrosion, making them ideal for use in coastal areas where saltwater and humidity can be problematic. Justice Design offers an additional marine-grade clear coat to further protect fixtures from the elements. The Ceramic Small Rectangle Wall Sconce is the perfect example of the wide range of handcrafted finishes you can choose from to make your turtle-friendly installation just as stylish as it is environmentally safe.
Dark sky and turtle friendly lighting are important measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of light pollution on the natural environment. By reducing the amount of artificial light that is emitted into the sky and on the beach, we can help to preserve the darkness of the night sky and protect endangered species like sea turtles. Justice Design is proud to offer a wide variety of fixtures that can help create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future.
If you need additional assistance with our selection of Dark Sky or Turtle-Friendly lighting fixtures or simply have other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable sales staff who can assist you with all your project needs. Contact us at [email protected] with any inquiries and follow us on social media for the latest updates on new products, blog posts, and design tips!