The recently-released NASA image of Europe taken from its space station and which shows Malta as a bright orange blob of light with more light concentration in the harbour and Freeport areas, has shocked us.
But what action is being taken?
In an interview with our sister paper The Malta Independent, which will be published tomorrow, Alexei Pace from the Malta Light Pollution Awareness Group gives simple recommendations to improve things.
Highlighting that the night sky is part of the environment we live in and which we have a right to enjoy, Mr Pace pointed out that Unesco recognises the sky as part of our common and universal heritage, and that it forms an integral part of the total environment that is perceived by mankind.
However, our chances of observing the stars and gazing upwards, are minimal, unless we go to particular places which are not affected by light pollution as much as others.
“Mtaħleb is one of the few remaining places in Malta which is least affected, so let’s protect this and have the area covered by the Dark Sky Heritage Areas Policy, as are parts of Gozo and Comino, including Dwejra and Ta’ Ċenċ,” he said.
Recently a statement from the group and other NGOs made the news after a Dwejra restaurateur lit up the area of his establishment and beyond, without any action being taken.
Light pollution is mostly wasted light coming from poorly designed fixtures, which emit light upwards. This results in wasted energy and environmental problems.
While acknowledging that outdoor lighting is indispensable, Mr Pace explains that we need to use more devices that give light facing downwards.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority, (Mepa) notes in its State of Environment Report: “Light pollution is an important, but as yet not widely recognised, impact of development in rural areas. It affects coastal environments and areas of important natural habitats, as well as the visual character of the landscape and the built environment”.
Light pollution needs to be especially controlled with the use of cut-off lighting (which does not emit any light upwards) in outside-development zones. Yet action can be taken by everyone including individuals, local councils and authorities.
Giving an example, Mr Pace said football grounds should only be lit by asymmetric full cut-off floodlighting which prevents nuisance to the neighbourhood whilst perfectly illuminating the play area.
Controlled up-lighting and the highlighting of specific building features can be used on buildings of historical importance.
The use of lighting on village churches at night is problematic, so shields can be installed on floodlights. These should also be switched off at midnight.
The Sustainable Energy Action Plan for Mdina (2010) highlights: “There is a major energy savings potential by reducing the consumption of the floodlighting around the city walls”.
The room for improvement is therefore enormous.
Full interview will be published in The Malta Independent tomorrow.