Why Light Pollution Matters - A Dark Skies Webinar with Prof Kevin Gaston (for Exmoor National Park) 

Why Light Pollution Matters (the ecological impacts of artificial night-time light)

Kevin Gaston is Professor of Biodiversity & Conservation at University of Exeter. On Thursday 5^th May at 7pm he’ll be presenting an online session especially for Exmoor National Park (International Dark Sky Reserve) suitable for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of why light pollution matters.

 The last 100 years have seen the dramatic spread of an evolutionarily unprecedented environmental change. Across huge areas, the patterns and cycles of light and dark that had previously remained approximately constant, have been disrupted by the introduction of artificial night-time lights from streetlights and other sources. Longstanding concerns about the implications for scientific astronomy and aesthetic enjoyment of the night sky have been joined in recent years by growing awareness of potential effects of artificial night-time light on human health, ecological processes and ecosystem services.

 Hear from Professor Gaston how spread of artificial night-time light raises major biological concerns given that light and dark provide critical resources and environmental conditions for organisms and play key roles in their physiology, growth, behaviour and reproduction, including our own biological clocks. As predicted, such impacts on individual organisms also have profound consequences for the structure and functioning of populations and communities.

Exmoor National Park Authority is delighted to be offering FREE places on this event which is open to all residents, businesses and anyone with an interest in understanding more about why we need to conserve Exmoor’s dark skies and why they are so important.

The presentation will be around 30-40 minutes long and there will be the opportunity for Q&A.

A link (Microsfoft Teams)  to join the webinar will be sent to you one day before the event. You do not need to download any App.