In the vast timeline of human history, it wasn't long ago that people spent their nights in darkness, relying on moonlight, the glow of a campfire, or, in later years, the dim flicker of kerosene lamps to complete their evening tasks. The advent of artificial lighting changed everything, allowing us to carry on with our activities long after the sun had set.

Today, artificial lighting is an indispensable part of modern life. When our electricity is disrupted (sometimes even for days) we scramble for candles or torches, realising just how dependent we've become.

But every rose has its thorn. Alongside its many benefits, artificial lighting has brought a significant downside: light pollution. This issue, once overlooked, has grown into a problem that can no longer be ignored. Beyond the energy consumption required to sustain it, artificial light causes a broad spectrum of issues.

From a physiological standpoint, excessive artificial light comes at a steep cost. For humans and animals alike, light pollution disrupts the natural cycles vitally important for survival. Beyond temporary visual discomfort, there are significant impacts on human health by disturbing the internal biological clock. This disruption can lead to sleep disorders like insomnia, metabolic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes, and heightened risks of breast cancer, strokes, and other serious conditions. Flora and fauna have their natural rhythms thrown off, with studies showing harm to nocturnal animals, disrupted migration patterns, declines in the population levels of some insects, and a broader negative impact on global biodiversity.

From a cultural perspective, light pollution robs humanity of its connection to the stars. Humans have long been captivated by the celestial bodies, finding inspiration in the beauty of the night sky. Marcus Aurelius, in Meditations, reflected on life's wonders, order, and duty while contemplating the stars in the night sky. This innate sense of awe is being diminished by artificial light, which brightens the background and obscures the stars, turning a once universal experience into a rarer occurrence.

So, what's being done about it?

Globally, there have been efforts to address this issue. There are transnational networks, and projects that unite working groups to conduct surveys, share experiences, and exchange approaches aimed at preserving darkness and minimising light pollution.

As early as 2002, the Czech Republic passed a national law specifically aimed at reducing light pollution. Slovenia followed suit, and in 2005, the UK introduced the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, which criminalised light pollution. More recently, in 2019, France adopted a comprehensive national light pollution strategy, widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. In Italy, regional laws against light pollution have already been implemented in many regions to protect the night sky, and a technical standard was established that gives lighting quantities and calculation procedures for the evaluation of the upward scattered luminous flux for outdoor lighting applications.

And Malta? Unfortunately, the situation here leaves much to be desired. Our legislation makes only scattered references to light pollution, with little enforcement to back them up. A local plan for Gozo and Comino from 2006 designated certain coastal areas as Dark Sky Heritage Areas, but these zones are now far from free of light pollution - so much so that recently, fifteen academics and NGOs have called on authorities to enforce nighttime blackouts in Dwejra on the west coast of Gozo, a Dark Sky Heritage Area.

A local study revealed that the vast majority of Malta is heavily light-polluted, and night sky brightness is only increasing, worsening the problem. Despite the glaring evidence, there's been little action. Even the Dark Sky Heritage Areas have succumbed to the growing intrusion of artificial light.

In 2020, the ERA and PA issued draft Guidelines for the Reduction of Light Pollution in the Maltese Islands for public consultation. Four years later, nothing concrete has been implemented. The Minister for the Environment has stated that the guidelines are being revised based on public feedback - but why has this process taken four years?

The fragmented approach to tackling light pollution often results in responsibility being passed from one authority to another, with no one taking decisive action.

If we truly aim for a country of quality, these issues must be addressed. The aforementioned problems warrant regulation of some sort. While it's true that Malta faces other, perhaps more significant, environmental challenges, including rampant, uncontrolled development, the growing impact of artificial light pollution on our daily lives can no longer be ignored.

Concrete action is needed to protect our environment from this overlooked threat. Let's not settle for piecemeal guidelines or superficial solutions. Instead, like other EU nations, we should enact robust legislation to safeguard our skies, ecosystems, and health.

The Nationalist Party is committed to leading this change. We refuse to accept mediocre efforts or flashy documents that gather dust on shelves. Our vision is one of real action and meaningful results. Together, we can achieve a healthier future for Malta - without compromising our skies or our environment.

Rebekah Borg is Shadow Minister for the Environment