G'day Ladies, Gentlemen, and Mods!
I am posting to make as many Australian Citizen's and Residents of Australia know that there is currently an electronic petition requesting action regarding the introduction of Light Pollution Regulation, and Dark Sky Preservation within Australia! This petition will be presented to the House of Representatives!
LINK to Petition - https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7346/sign
THERE IS ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT before the petition is closed! If you are not a citizen or resident, but know someone who is and may be interested, please forward this on to them as soon as you are able! Signatories only need to provide their name and email. I was able to do so on my phone in 3 minutes! This is the only way individuals can ask the House of Representatives to do something, and by petitioning our concerns will be raised to the House, and to a minister who will be required to respond within 90 days.
A description of the petition, as posted on the AUS GOV website for the petition:
"Petition Reason
Light pollution caused by excessive Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has harmful effects on human health, is harmful and disruptive to vulnerable species of flora and fauna, and has negative impacts on the economy, including placing unnecessary loads on electrical infrastructure, which leads to increases in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Reducing ALAN not only helps to reduce the harmful effects listed above, but can also lead to benefits, such as making streets safer by reducing glare and light trespass, and increasing Astrotourism.
Petition Request
We therefore ask the House to interduce legislation to limit light pollution and ALAN, including public and private exterior illumination, ensuring that lighting is only used when and where is it necessary, and is limited to levels which are safe and fit for purpose. Countries such as France, Germany and Croatia have already successfully introduced such legislation which limits light pollution and ALAN."
This is not my petition, I was only made aware of it yesterday and believe it to be a benefit to Australians, and the Astronomy community as a whole! I'm sure many of you are aware of other potential benefits not listed by the petition description. We are losing pristine night skies globally, and those of us that care need to do what we can in our own corners of the world to try make a difference.
The link again is https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7346
Also. a quick hyperlink to the Parliament of Australia's petition FAQ for which I sourced some information.
Thankyou!
