Letter in "behalf of starlight". Please write yours TODAY! "Art vs Pollution" Association for Public Art 1616 Walnut Street, Suite 2012 Philadelphia, PA 19103-5313 Phone: 215.546.7550 Fax: 215.546.2363 postmaster@associationforpublicart.org Please forward this message to your president and Executive Director. I am writing to you about your Open Air Project to light up night skies over Philadelphia. I am deeply concerned about the adverse effects of light pollution from this project. Please let me explain why this is not a good idea. It is a waste of energy to flood the skies with light. It also crates a number of serious problems. This obtrusive lighting limits access to the beauty of our night skies; which for generations has influenced much of the world’s science, literature, art, and music. We also fear that these bright lights aimed into the sky could be a serious threat to air traffic safety. In addition to these problems, wildlife can be harmed by excessive lighting. Migrating birds become disoriented, and sea turtles (all species of which are threatened or endangered) are losing nesting areas due to brightly lit beaches. In addition, recent research has shown a link with melatonin suppression and human health. Lights at night stop humans from producing melatonin, which disrupts our circadian rhythm. Melatonin suppressed blood has been shown to cause increased cancer growth rates in laboratory animals. All is not lost. By promoting responsible lighting, we can reduce energy waste, control glare, stop most of the obtrusive light trespass, improve visibility and safety, protect biodiversity, live healthier, and preserve the beauty of our night skies. By controlling energy waste, we can save money and reduce atmospheric pollution. We believe that solutions are simple, and that everyone, including the public, benefits from these solutions. Thank goodness progress is being made to stop this problem. Thousands of communities around the world have passed laws and zoning codes limiting light pollution. For example, in my home town, these lights would not be permitted by city codes due to their adverse environmental impacts. In addition, more than 20 states have passed or are considering various outdoor lighting bills to control excessive outdoor lighting. This issue is now receiving national and international attention. This is not a good time to call light pollution “art.” We encourage you to consider the environmental, safety, and health effects of light pollution, thus including light pollution in your education, outreach, and other programs. Please do not support this “art” project in Philadelphia. It sets a very bad example for others. Sincerely, Robert L. Gent Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Ret. Note: Lt Col Gent is the past president of the Astronomical League (a federation of thousands of astronomers and hundreds of societies). He is also a past president of the International Dark-Sky Association. He have spoken before IAU commissions, city, county, state, national, and international governments on this issue. As an Arizona State Parks RIM Astronomer, he established “star parks” in Arizona and helped educate the public about this growing problem.