The Right to a Clear Sky and to Starlight

The right to a clear night sky is comparable with other environment-related rights. In addition to that, it deals with the conservation of a resource influencing lots of tangible and intangible cultural aspects throughout our planet. Progressive loss of the natural night sky is a threat to be faced in the same way as problems related with air and water quality or natural resource conservation are faced. Nowadays, talking about sustainable development also means talking about guaranteeing a clear night sky for ourselves and for future generations.

In recent years great efforts have been to acknowledge this right and make it effective, transferring it to laws, regulations and by-laws that sought protection of this resource from several approaches. Many pioneer initiatives have come into being as an extension of astronomical observation requirements, but little by little several cities and region, not necessarily related with astrophysical observation areas, have joined this movement. All of them have the common goal to pursuit a less light-polluted night sky, although the focus varies between those laws which pursue respect towards the night environment in a general way, those protecting observatories from polluting light sources, those which try to avoid energy waste, and those which attempt to protect a specific area.

In all cases, the pursued objectives lead to the enjoyment of clean, starry skies. It is therefore high time to take a further step forward, by defending the right to starlight in all dimensions, as a cultural, scientific and environmental right, which includes quality of human life and enjoyment of nocturnal landscapes. In fact, it is not such a complicated task as it is the recovery of a threatened species, the fight against drought and erosion, or the loss of wild areas as a consequence of over-development: the night sky is 100% recoverable in all its dimensions.

Examples of initiatives mainly focussed on protecting astronomical observation.

The Sky Law - Canary Islands (1988).
Given the exceptional quality of the Canary Island´s sky for astronomical observations and Spain´s International Agreements to guarantee the preservation of the IAC´s research activity and, especially, to protect the astronomical quality of its observatories, the Spanish Government passed the Law 31/1988 on the Protection of the Astronomical Quality of the IAC´s Observatories on October 31 1988, as well as the regulations of the corresponding Royal Decree 243/1992 on March 13 1992.
More Information...>

Chilean Decree for light pollution regulation (1998).
Chile is the only country in the world that relies since 1988  on an Emission Rule for Light Pollution Regulation, originated from the joined work of the Department of Pollution, Planning and Regulations of the Chilean Environmental National Commission (CONAMA) and the OPCC.
More Information: Oficina de protección del Cielo - Norma (ES)...>
Norma de Emisión para la Regulación de la Contaminación Lumínica

Law "Visual Lombardy Law no. 17/2000" a model for European law Reference
Urgent measures to fight the light pollution and to achieve energy saving in the use of outdoor lighting .
More information...>

NEW - 30 August, 2007
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia Passes a Light Pollution Law
The new Law is expected to have numerous positive impacts. It prohibits lighting above the horizon into space for most luminaries and demands the use of totally shielded ones.
Read more...>

Examples of initiatives focussed on environment protection or energy saving .

U.S.A. State Laws Adopted and Proposed (DARK SKIES)
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Springs, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
Read more....>

Regional laws against light pollution (Italy)
1998-2005.
Regional laws against light pollution have been already enforced in 13 Italians regions (Lombardia 17/00, Emilia-Romagna 113/03, Marche 10/02, Lazio 23/00, Campania 13/02, Veneto 22/97, Toscana 37/00, Piemonte 31/00, Valle d'Aosta 17/98, Basilicata 41/00, Abruzzo 12/05, Umbria 20/05, Puglia 15/05) which cover more than two thirds of the Italian population and the main cities (Milano, Roma, Venezia, Firenze, Bologna, Napoli). In addition, three Italian technical standard rules refers directly or indirectly to light pollution (UNI10819, UNI10439, UNI9316).
More information (CieloBuio) IT...>
More information (Pier Antonio Cinzano Page) ...>

U.S.A. State Laws Adopted and Proposed (DARK SKIES)
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Springs, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming.
More Information (IDA - International Dark Sky Association)....>

The Czech Act on Protection of the Air,
including Light Pollution prevention (2001).
The Czech Republic is the first country to enact national legislation with provisions aimed at eliminating light pollution.
More Information...>

Law of the Catalonian Parliament (2001).
Law of lighting environmental planning  for the protection of night environment.
More information (ES)....>

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. UK.
More information...>

Night Environment Protection Act - Balearic Islands (2005)
More information...>
Cantabria (2006).
Law of light pollution prevention of Cantabria.
More information (ES)...>

The Statutory Nuisance. Wales UK (2007)
Regulations 2007...>

Light Pollution and New Legislation

The Institution of Lighting Engineers
Available as pdf file...>

By-Laws, Standards and Ordinances

U.S.A. Municipality Outdoor Lighting Regulations by State
More information (IDA - International Dark Sky Association)....>

Australian Standard Control of the obtrusive effects of
outdoor lighting (1997)
More information...>
Córdoba - World Heritage City (1999)
Night Environment Protection Ordinance (ES)
Summerfield Town Council (2000)
Night Sky Preservation Ordinance. More information...>

IDAE-CUI (2005)
Proposal of a model of external lighting Municipal Ordinance.
More information (ES)...>

Huntingdonshire District Council
Planning Guidance. External Artificial Lighting.
More Information...>

Kingston Street Light Guidelines 2006
More Information...>