Could the historic city of York become the UK’s first ‘dark sky city’? Experts hope that this could be the case as part of a global movement to combat light pollution. It would join North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales national parks, which are both Dark Sky Reserves, if it was the case.
York St John University academics joined astronomers to discuss methods to achieve this, which include the likes of warmer directional lighting in urban areas, warm white LED lighting, and switching lights off at times.
York St John had introduced several of these measures on its main campus and hoped the project may widen. As of November 2023, there were 21 International Dark Sky Reserves around the world. If the city were to be successful, it would offer up exceptional starry nights, and with it would come protection for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and of course public enjoyment.
The BBC reports that Dr Jen Hall, from the university, said: “We believe York has the potential, knowledge and impetus to be the first. By coming together, we can protect our night skies for future generations and make York a model for responsible lighting in cities across the UK.”
Mike Hawtin, who is the dark skies conservation lead at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said “Light pollution is easy to fix, it saves us money and reduces carbon emissions… The discussion is never ever about banning the light we all need for a wide range of reasons – it’s about sensitive, responsible use, to light only what we need, only when we need it and at a level suitable to that need.”
Read More: Enjoy A Night Of Stargazing By The Campfire At This Dark Sky Reserve
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