What CPRE is doing
We launched a nationwide campaign in 2003 to fight light pollution. It was fronted by the The Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees and CPRE President Sir Max Hastings, plus Bob Mizon our campaign partner from the British Astronomical Association, which represents thousands of amateur astronomers around the country.
We have some eminent supporters, including Queen's lead guitarist Brian May, a one-time astrophysicist.
At the heart of our campaign are two things:
- Our new maps on the spread of light pollution
- Our action plan for consumers, businesses, professions, local councils and authorities, and the Government
CPRE joined with the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS) to organise a star count in the winter of 2006/07. We asked people to count the number of stars they could see within the Orion constellation. In an area with truly dark skies you can see up to 50 stars within that constellation.
Thanks to some excellent media publicity, nearly 2,000 people took part in the star count. Only 2% of people who responded to our online survey said they could see more than 30 stars, compared to 54% who saw fewer than 10 stars in Orion – a level which indicates severe light pollution.
We will use this evidence, along with our light pollution maps, to put pressure on the Government to deliver the long awaited planning policy on light pollution. It is hoped that the consultation on an annex to Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control will be issued in 2007.
| Number of stars counted within the constellation of Orion | ||||||
| 0-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-30 | 31-40 |
| 258 (14%) | 729 (40%) | 441 (24%) | 215 (12%) | 105 (6%) | 47 (2%) | 34 (2%) |
You can download a map showing the results of the star count, see the link on the right.
Our campaign report
We have produced an in-depth background report on the issue and what can be done about it, a four-page summary leaflet, regional maps that show the extent of light pollution and its growth in the eight English regions.
Letter-writers inundate Defra
In response to CPRE's campaigning, the Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been inundated with letters from CPRE supporters. They wrote us an open letter addressing some our campaign points.
We informed councils about serious light polluters
In November 2003, we asked people to give us local examples of light pollution which particularly bothered them. The appeal won widespread media coverage, thanks to us being able to draw attention to dozens of examples of light pollution collected by CPRE branches around England.
We collected people's complaints through a web form and a special email address and also through phone calls and letters. We received over 100 complaints from all around the country, and we passed these on to chief planning officers, chief highways officers and chief environmental health officers – as appropriate – in the relevant local councils.
People complained about all sorts of sources of light pollution which were driving dark skies out of the countryside – particularly sports grounds and leisure centres, superstores, industrial estates and roadside services. Floodlit golf driving ranges were a particular bugbear.
National lobbying
In 2003, the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology carried out an inquiry into light pollution. We submitted written evidence and oral evidence to the committee. The committee published its report in September, which took on board many of our points and recognised the validy of our pioneering light pollution maps.
In December 2003, the Government responded to the select committee report. We found its response lacklustre, for the most part, containing few immediate actions to tackle the problem. Because we are concerned inaction will lead to a growth in light pollution, we will continue to campaign on this issue.
Campaign success
The Government has now legislated to make light pollution a Statutory Nuisance. This is, potentially, an important new weapon for fighting the worst types of light pollution.
We've certainly raised awareness about light pollution, but not enough — we fear the problem continues to grow. We urge all our supporters to keep campaigning locally.
