Restoring Darkness

Highlights from this episode: Worldwide Campaigns NSF Grants Meta Studies Soft Lights Contra Connecticut Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

This is one of the more mind-blowing episodes we’ve recorded. So much we hadn’t heard about before. Light pollution at night suppresses melatonin and can lead to cancer and the lighting industry deep state tried to intimidate and silence Dr Motta in 2016. That’s just the tip of the information iceberg that Dr. Motta reveals. Blue light is great during the day, but stay away from 469 - 489 nanomete...

Andy Deprato is a med student that’s already co-authored two research papers, with a third on the way. His meta-studies have correlated light pollution with seasonal allergies, asthma, a few different cancers and (once the third paper clears peer review) a number of mental health issues. In this interview we discuss: which came first; light or health, how metastudies work, health and how it intera...

Highlights from this episode: Maps Parks Dim Winters in the UK Holiday Complaints Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Sasha’s eyes were ruined by laser surgery in 2011, and she launched My Beautiful Eyes Foundation in January 2012. Since then, as a patient advocate, she has advised and represented thousands of people, the majority like her, irreparably damaged by refractive eye surgery, laser and lens. Sasha has worked closely with John McDonnell MP, actively campaigning for government regulation of the UK refrac...

Highlights from this episode: Insomnia Connections Expanding Regulations Overriding Objections Small Towns and Big Views Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Mark Baker contends that the Department of Energy committed fraud by not following Congress’s instructions. Is the LED bulb really a replacement for the incandescent bulb? Or is it totally different, unsafe, hazardous and dangerous?   Mark Baker is the President of The Soft Light Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for the protection of people and the environment from the harms of...

Highlights from this episode:  - Sleep Studies  - Health Effects of ALAN  - Bird Boosters  - DSI Awards Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Headlines and Sources can be found at restoringdarkness.com

Bill hosts the Light Pollution News Podcast. Some might see that as competition to the Restoring Darkness Podcast. We don’t see it that way. The more awareness brought to the issue of light pollution, the better. Let’s ALL make podcasts about the subject! Bill McGeeney is the host of the Light Pollution News podcast. He’s a dark sky advocate, member of the Pennsylvania chapter of Dark Sky Internat...

The Darkness News Update is a biweekly series that explores current events in light at night – be it biological research, new developments in lamps, actions by advocates, or changes in policy. Highlights from this episode: Headlights The UK Templates New Red Light District Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle  Headlines and Sourc...

Steve Mariconda became so passionate about light pollution that he decided to make it the subject of this master's thesis! In his research, he learned about its real impact on human health. Mark Baker suggests that we use the word “carcinogen” when referring to light pollution. That’ll perk up officials’ ears! Steve Mariconda lives in Bergen County, New Jersey, about 10 miles from NYC. He is finis...

Highlights from this episode: Mortality Long COVID Meta-Studies Globetrotting Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources on RestoringDarkness.com

We invited Dan onto Restoring Darkness to discuss wallpacks, those glaring lights you see on the sides of commercial and industrial buildings that seem to point straight into your eyes when you're driving on the road or walking on the sidewalk. As these lights are purportedly for safety and security, the conversation morphed into a discussion about the need for light at night. Dan points out that...

Highlights from this episode:  - A Hotel in Maui  - Responsible Astrotourism  - Nevada  - Vote Against Light Pollution Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com

Louis the XIV made Paris the first city to be lit at night and now, ironically, it seems France may be the leader in mitigating light pollution. David tells us about France’s law that shops must turn off their lights after the store is closed. Of course we have local ordinances in North America for that, but France seems to be better at enforcing the law. David contends that our cultures’ fear of...

The Darkness News Update is a biweekly series that explores current events in light at night – be it biological research, new developments in lamps, actions by advocates, or changes in policy. Highlights from this episode: Soft Lights Keeps the Litigious Ball Rolling Lighting for Parks Fall Migrations Under the Sea Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro...

If you’ve driven in the country and experienced a car coming at you with their high-beams on, you sort of know what Michael Evenson experiences. Regular low-beam LED headlights are so bad for him that, wherever he is on the road, he has to stop until the “terror brightness” passes. Michael points out that we should look at Europe where headlights must be shielded or aimed to point only on the road...

Highlights from this episode: Counting Birds Hazy Memories Court Decisions Parrotheads v Turtle Nests Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources can be found at restoringdarkness.com

We’ve all experienced a camera flash that leaves us blind for a couple of seconds. Now imagine that happening every time some LED headlights hit your eyes from cars on the freeway. And you’re going 60 MPH.That’s what happens to Johanna Wilson. Ironically, emergency lights are the worst of all! It’s so bad that she cannot drive at night. Let’s get these LED lights off the road! ( https://www.facebo...

Highlights from this episode: New Research Flying South NIMBYism Rules for Rules Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

In John’s case, bad lighting literally makes him sick. John has photophobia, which is a bit of a misnomer. He’s not afraid of light like someone is afraid of heights. Bright, artificial light gives him intense headaches, feelings of sickness and can bother his eyes so much that he can’t keep them open. Grade school was a challenge for him as he just couldn't concentrate. The next time you see a ki...

Highlights from this episode: Some Recognition from Part of the Federal Government Leaves are Too Tough to Chew Circadian Rhythms, Meals, and Medicine Win Some / Lose Some at the State Level Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle   Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com

Nick raises a good point: We all know some lighting designers, but how many lighting planners do you know? These people think differently about the context of lighting - transportation safety, environment, and the impact on livability and the quality of life that outdoor light at night will have on us. Are we stuck with 4000k LED street lighting? Can we turn this ship around? Nick Mesler is a Dire...

Highlights from this episode:  - Orbital Debris  - TV Before Bed  - Hurricane Recovery  - Local Debates Sponsored by Evluma https://evluma.com/dark-sky-friendly-lighting/ Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Headlines and Sources can be found at www. RestoringDarkness.com

Light should radiate outwards. That is Mark’s and the Soft Lights Foundation’s contention. LED’s by their nature radiate inwards, more like a laser than a traditional light source. As Mark says, is that really how we should be illuminating our living rooms and streets? Visit the Soft Lights Foundation ( softlights.org )