Restoring Darkness

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Mark Baker and Michael Colligan dive deep into the unintended consequences of LED lighting. Mark shares eye-opening insights on LED light discrimination, its impact on people with disabilities, and the urgent need for updated policies and regulations. From the Americans with Disabilities Act to scientific discoveries about luminance, this conversation challen...

Highlights from this episode:  - “Health” and “Human” “Services”  - Seasons  - Municipal Meetings  - The Kids are Alright Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources at www. RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode:  - Scientific Consensus  - Stressed Out  - For the Birds  - Space Mirrors Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be Found at RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode, we welcome back Yana Yakushina, a legal expert and researcher tackling light pollution from a policy and environmental law perspective. We dive into the latest regulatory frameworks, legal victories, and the fight to recognize artificial light at night as a serious environmental issue like Germany has. Mark Baker shares real-world legal battles, including lawsuits against excessiv...

Highlights from this episode: Health Updates Nesting Migrations Geopolitics Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com

Join hosts Mark and Michael as they sit down with Larry Boxer, an optical engineer with over 30 years of experience in lighting innovation. This episode dives deep into the science behind lighting design, discussing its impact on human health, night environments, and the evolving challenges brought on by LEDs. Larry offers an insider’s perspective on optical engineering and shares groundbreaking i...

Highlights from this episode:  - Dark Sky Week!  - Hospital Design  - Migration Season  - Policy Engagement Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

In a thought-provoking episode of Restoring Darkness, Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Dr. Amardeep Dugar rethink lighting design, challenging outdated metrics and advocating for life-centric lighting—an approach that considers the broader ecological impact of artificial light.    🌍 Key Takeaways:    Outdated Efficiency Metrics – The industry’s continued reliance on lumens per watt is hindering...

Highlights from this episode:  - 3-Way Conflicts  - Alignments  - Dark Sky Week  - Lawsuits Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode of Restoring Darkness , Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Scott Wachter unpack the hidden dangers of light pollution, from LED-induced migraines to its role in societal chaos. They expose how the lighting industry’s shift from bulbs to LEDs dodged accountability, while personal responsibility narratives shield systemic failures. With the NHTSA banning flashing LED vehicle lights an...

Highlights from this episode: New Metric Apps Bird Safety Millinery Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

Scott Wachter takes a break, from talking about light pollution to explain why the 2003 Sunrise TV anime, Planetes, informs his coverage of space junk on the Darkness News Update. This review episode is sponsored by Hobbylink Japan

Highlights from this episode: Heart Health Let’s Talk About Sleep Migrations Trending Topics Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Nadine brings us a completely different perspective on the light pollution issue. We in the peaceful, prosperous parts of the world debate how to deal with light pollution, what color temperatures to use, and when to turn it off. There are parts of the world where light is scarce and whether it is 2200k or 5600k, it doesn’t matter. Some people just need light for survival. When missiles are landin...

When’s the last time you spoke at the U.N.? Well, 15 year old Rushil Kukreja has done it. This smart kid is taking action on light pollution. His website, princia.org , is dedicated to “combatting light pollution and preserving the natural beauty of our night skies.” As part of a science fair project, Rushil invented a window that will turn opaque when it senses more light inside the building than...

Highlights from this episode: Road Trips Low Orbit Parks Highways Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Do we have a right to night? Dana thinks so. We also have a right to health and there is more and more evidence that light at night can be detrimental to our health, and to the environment. Dana applies her legal expertise to her books, articles, essays, and speaking engagements to change people's ideas around the environment and light pollution. Dana Zartner is a teacher, lawyer and writer whose...

The Bay Bridge in San Francisco got new lights–high Kelvin, high bright LED lights–lighting up the water all around it. You know we have had many guests on this podcast that have established the harm that bright, high kelvin, blue-rich light causes on humans and the environment. Has no one from this project watched The Restoring Darkness Podcast? Michael Colligan owns a lighting distribution busin...

Highlights from this episode: Manipulating a Groundhog’s Day Weight Loss Interpreting of ALAN Getting Down Under the Sea Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

They say, “You can’t fight city hall.” Well, young David Calhoun is. In the small town of Vernonia Oregon, David is on a quest to reduce light pollution in and around the town. His focus so far has been on the main street, where they have switched to 5000K LED’s. Even from his home in the woods 3 miles out of town he can see the sky glow growing. Once David becomes a state senator, which Michael C...

Sasha is back and she’s fightin’ mad! She’s still battling the refractive eye surgery industry, and because of the damage her eyes experienced from that, LED street lights are a problem for her. So now she is battling her local council to fix the terrible LED street lighting in her borough–not just for her, but for everyone who is negatively affected.   Sasha’s eyes were ruined by laser surgery in...

Highlights from this episode:  - Lucky 13 State Parks in CO  - Maritime Issues  - Street Lighting Across Europe  - A Bigger Trump Sign Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

Philip was recently on Get a Grip on Lighting, Episode 381, ( getagriponlighting.com/episode-381-induction-dont-call-it-a-comeback-philip-gotthelf ), making him one of our few cross-over guests. His company, Tesla Induction Lighting makes Dark Sky compliant induction light fixtures and lamps. That means, no flicker, little glare, recoverable mercury, and long-lasting bulbs. If you want the turtles...

Highlights from this episode: Made in the Shade Threats to Chilean Observatories Fossil Fuels Mending Fences Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/ Headlines and Sources are available at www. RestoringDarkness.com

Michael identifies five of the seven deadly sins—gluttony, greed, pride, wrath, and sloth—as fundamental causes behind the growing light pollution epidemic. Gluttony manifests in our excessive and often wasteful use of electric light at night, far beyond what is necessary. Greed drives industries to prioritize profit over sustainable practices, accelerating the adoption of LED lighting and using u...