Light pollution attracts attention, UK national parks respond with innovative ideas

In modern society, the unreasonable use of light often brings light pollution. Urban areas are the places with the most severe light pollution, such as home lighting, neon advertising, street lights, landscape lighting, large-format glass curtain wall reflections, and strong light illumination of large outdoor sports fields and transportation hubs. The problem of light pollution has caused great concern in society.

According to British media reports, Northumberland National Park, the northernmost national park in England, is providing grants to local residents and businesses to improve their lighting and reduce light pollution.

The project is funded by energy snack company Clif, and the grant is currently part of their first round of environmental protection grants to British National Parks to provide sky-friendly exterior lighting.

Northumberland National Park is located in Northumberland County and covers an area of ​​more than 1030 square kilometers, accounting for about a quarter of the county's total area. It borders Scotland on the northwest and the Great Wall of Hadrian on the south. In addition to the colorful cultural and historic sites, there are also a wide variety of wild flora and fauna, which is one of the best places for humans to travel outdoors and get close to nature.

The park was awarded the "Dark Sky Park" title by the International Dark Sky Association. Some areas of the park are fully designated as dark skies, so new artificial outdoor lighting is not allowed in these areas.

It is reported that businesses and residents in the park can apply for funds to help them adapt or replace any external lighting that may be unshielded or too bright, as this may cause light pollution and affect the dark sky.

"We are so happy to have such a pristine sky in Northumberland," said Duncan Wise, visitor development and marketing manager for Northumberland National Park.

"This is a great opportunity for residents and businesses in the park to help protect our dark sky in the future and install the lighting needed for safety."

"It is estimated that the UK wastes more than £ 1 billion a year on improperly installed, poorly designed and inefficient outdoor lighting, but completely shielded environmental solutions are becoming increasingly cheaper."

The "Dark Sky Park" title brings more than 25 million pounds of Dark Sky tourism to the area and has received additional investment to support Northumberland County's tourism industry throughout the year.