Within a generation or two, light pollution{1} will rob the great majority of Britons of the chance to see star-filled night skies in their own country - unless we act decisively, starting now.

This was the stark warning last night from Sir Nigel Thompson, Chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England{2}, speaking to an audience of leaders and experts representing the full spectrum of the lighting industry.

He was presenting the prestigious Charles Marques Memorial Lecture as a guest of the Institution of Lighting Engineers (ILE){3}.

Sir Nigel said: 'Young or old, highly educated or totally uninformed, we can all be amazed by the spectacular sight of some 3,000 stars on a really clear night spread across that great dome of inky blue sky.

'Nothing else in the natural world, I would suggest, achieves quite such a combination of beauty and mystery. And nothing else has inspired so much art, so much science and religion.

'Shouldn't we conserve such things in our own back yard while we still can? I strongly believe that dark skies should be part of the ordinary lowland countryside near where we live, as well as the more remote upland areas. Countryside which has bright orange or pink skies hanging over it is countryside that has been damaged.'

In his speech, Sir Nigel recognised the steps which the industry have already taken to address the problem{4}. He said he was confident it could be solved painlessly and economically, if only concerted action was taken.

His call was supported by ILE President Dave McNair. The ILE has produced guidance notes on light pollution and supports restrictions on obtrusive light.

Sir Nigel said other sectors also have an important part to play in tackling light pollution, including consumers and customers, local and central government, as well as environmental organisations like CPRE.

He welcomed the pressure that MPs had brought to bear on Government through a recent Select Committee report{5}. Ministers have responded by saying they will soon issue planning policy on tackling light pollution for planners and developers{6}.

And he repeated CPRE's call for serious, really intrusive light pollution to be made a Statutory Nuisance - something the Government has said it is considering.

Sir Nigel pointed out that all signs were that light pollution was continuing its rapid growth.{7} It is eroding the dark skies that are one of the critical features distinguishing the countryside from towns, leaving fewer and fewer people able to enjoy pristine, star-filled heavens.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Light pollution is unwanted, excess artificial light which spoils people's enjoyment of their environment. When water droplets and dust particles are illuminated by outdoor lighting this causes huge areas of sky glow, through which only the brighter stars and planets can be seen.

2. CPRE exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We promote positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside to ensure change values its natural and built environment. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have 59,000 supporters, a branch in every county, nine regional groups, over 200 local groups and a national office in London. CPRE is a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning. Our President is Sir Max Hastings.

3. The Institution of Lighting Engineers (ILE) exists to support the science and art of good lighting for the benefit of the public. The Charles Marques Memorial Lecture is one of the highlights of the Institution's, and the lighting industry's, calendar and has been given every year since 1977. It was given at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in London. A full copy of the speech will be available from CPRE's press office.

4. The ILE has been active in promoting the reduction and control of light pollution for over 15 years, publishing a series of guidance notes designed to place limits on light pollution based on environmental zones. These guidance notes have been accepted by the public, the lighting profession and other related professional bodies and have recently been encapsulated in international recommendations by the Commission International De L'Éclairge.

5. The House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology's report, Light Pollution and Astronomy, was published in October 2003. It recognised CPRE's pioneering light pollution maps (see endnote 7 below) and made recommendations for action which included calling on Government to make serious light pollution a Statutory Nuisance.

6. The Government's response to the Select Committee report was published in December 2003. It contained no firm commitments which would check the growth in light pollution, but since then the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has firmed up on its intention to write the first planning policy on light pollution - something which CPRE has warmly welcomed. It will be an annexe to Planning Policy Statement Number 23, on planning and pollution control.

7. In May 2003 CPRE, in partnership with the British Astronomical Association, launched pioneering light pollution maps based on satellite data. These showed a rapid growth in the quantity and strength of outdoor electric lighting in the UK shining up into the sky and causing light pollution between 1993 and 2000. The maps can be found in the campaigns section of CPRE's website, www.cpre.org.uk.