Artificial light at night was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879 — 146 years ago. Since then, outdoor light at night has exploded with more and more light at night being added to the planet, growing at an estimated 9-10% per year.

We need light at night to help us with mobility and nighttime activities. What we don’t need is poorly designed and careless use of light. It is increasingly recognized that irresponsible use of outdoor lighting at night has negative effects on human health, the environment and our pocketbooks. Artificial light into our bedrooms disrupts melatonin production as we sleep that has many deleterious downstream consequences, including increased incidences of cancer.

Think about it: until the widespread use of artificial light at night all the creatures that ever lived on planet Earth evolved under a pattern of light and darkness. Our fellow inhabitants adjusted their safety, their hunting, their mating to patterns of light and dark. Indeed, 70% of mammals are nocturnal to help illustrate that adaptation, not to mention the countless insects and pollinators that depend on the dark. When we carelessly throw light into areas where it doesn’t belong it disrupts these delicately adapted patterns of life for all living things.

Light pollution, and inability to see dark skies, also robs us of our cultural heritage and our ability to conduct scientific research. It is now estimated that nearly 100% of North Americans and Western Europeans live under some level of light polluted skies, and that 80% of Americans have never seen the Milky Way. What a loss.

In Maine, our rural nature still provides us with the chance to see dark skies and marvel at the wonders of the universe. Indeed, Maine has the largest contiguous areas of dark skies east of the Mississippi River. We have two internationally recognized areas in particular — The Maine Woods Dark Sky Park (part of the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail) and the Katahdin Woods and Waters Dark Sky Sanctuary (as part of the national monument). But many other rural areas of our state also enjoy marvelous dark skies.

However, because of economic growth, light pollution continues to spread, which is why I urge readers to support LD 1934, An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting. The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Laurie Osher of Orono and is co-sponsored by nine other members of the House and Senate, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats (a remarkable thing in itself).

The bill establishes standards for outdoor lighting of state and municipal properties, incorporating best-in-class thinking on downward shielding, fixture design, color temperature of the lamp and when lights need to be extinguished or dimmed late at night. It also establishes standards on light trespass on neighboring properties, and lighting for sports fields. Further, the bill directs the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to draft model zoning lighting ordinances that towns could then adopt to bring these standards down to the local level, where most of the action is, in terms of new commercial development.

Of all the world’s many problems, this is one that we can each have a hand in solving. At home, it’s by the flip of a switch — using outdoor light only when its needed, only where it’s needed, and at a color temperature and brightness that’s only as much as needed. In the larger world of state and municipal properties, we need LD 1934 to apply these responsible standards to public spaces and provide leadership in developing model ordinances for controlling outdoor lighting within our communities.

LD 1934, as amended, was recently reported out of the State and Local Government Committee of the 132nd Legislature with an “Ought to Pass” report. Next stop is on the floor of the House, then the Senate. I urge readers to contact local legislators to support LD 1934.

Maine can then join other states and municipalities that have enacted responsible outdoor lighting standards that protect dark skies and offer yet another reason for tourists to visit “Vacationland” — to see something they can no longer see at home — the majesty of a starry sky.