Lighting body working to safeguard wildlife

Lighting Council Australia has reported that it is working with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to update the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife. These guidelines were established to help protect Australia’s local flora and fauna from artificial lighting products that act as environmental pollutants when not controlled correctly.

Several members of Lighting Council Australia are a part of the Light Technical Guidance Working Group that is responsible for these guidelines. Lighting Council members and staff are contributing to group meetings with technical advice related to lighting products commonly used in the outdoors. These pertain most commonly to street lighting, but also include public recreational lighting in parks and beaches that can be harmful to wildlife.

Artificial light at night provides safety for humans, but in doing so can cause physiological changes in animals as they interpret light differently. Hatchling marine turtles, for example, struggle to find the ocean when beaches are lit with artificial light because their eyes are not yet adjusted, and fledgling seabirds require the cover of night to take their first flight.

Lighting Council Australia acknowledged the risk lighting poses to local wildlife and commended those of its members who assist with the development of the light pollution guidelines. The lighting industry body said this effort would safeguard the nation’s local fauna while demonstrating that the lighting industry of Australia is environmentally aware and active.

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