Non-light-efficient city lights spray up to 60% of their light into the sky, and all that light is wasted. Now, the lights of cities are brighter than that of the stars, so at night our eyes aren't adjusted enough to see that many stars and birds are migrating off course. Luckily, it's never too late to take action.

Steps

• Only use lighting that is needed. The whole house does not need to be lit up; your home is not a showpiece.

  

• Have lights in use in rooms that are in use. Other rooms should be kept dark.

  

  
  

• Direct light to where it is needed. A lamp is better than an overhead light for giving light on a book or meal; always opt for the more directed and lesser light options where possible.

  

  
  

• Install motion detector lights. These can be placed on garden paths, near garages, around dark spaces and even in hallways etc. to only turn on when a person walking past is detected. If you have family members who need to use the bathroom frequently, these lights are much better than leaving one on all night.

  

  
  

• Pull down the blinds. Having a brilliantly lit party? Keep it inside and don't let the light glow out. Pull down the blinds, pull across the drapes and dim the switches just a bit to add to the mood.

  

  
  

• Use low pressure sodium lights. These are the types used for street lighting and have the least impact on sky glow. They are also energy efficient and will save money.

  

  2 Keep some activities for daytime only. Activities that require decent lighting, such as painting walls or artwork, sewing, cleaning etc., are best left to when the sun provides a light source rather than trying to do work under intense lights at night.

  3 Spread the word to your family and friends, and tell them to pass it on. Many people either don't know or don't understand a lot about sky glow and the negative impacts of too much light at night. Be an ambassador and explain the issues to others. You will then hopefully have growing ranks of night sky protectors. Show them the famous NASA photos of the Earth at night - these are available on the NASA site or from poster stores. They shock many people unfamiliar with them.

  4 Write a letter to your city council suggesting that they change their street lights. They should have all the floodlights pointed down and replace the infamous Cobra Head lights with Box Design lights. Point them to the site listed in external links.