Why Do Dark Sky Laws Say Outdoor Lights Need to Be Warm Colors?

Dark Sky laws are becoming increasingly important in protecting our environment and preserving the night sky. Dark Sky laws regulate the use of outdoor lighting in order to reduce light pollution.

These laws aim to preserve the beauty of the night sky, reduce energy consumption, and protect wildlife. One aspect of Dark Sky laws is that they require outdoor lights to be warm colors, such as yellow or orange, rather than bright white light.

The reason why warm colors are preferred for outdoor lighting is that they emit less blue light. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than other colors, which means it scatters more easily when it travels through the atmosphere.

This causes more blue light to be reflected back into the sky rather than staying on the ground where it’s needed. By using warm colored lights instead of bright white lights, less of this scattered blue light is reflected into the night sky, helping to reduce light pollution.

Warm-colored lights also have another benefit: they help preserve our natural circadian rhythms. Our circadian rhythms dictate our sleep–wake cycle, and bright white lights can disrupt these rhythms by confusing our bodies into thinking it’s still daytime when it’s not. Warm colored lights have been found to have a much lower impact on circadian rhythms than bright white ones do, which helps make sure we get a good night’s sleep and remain healthy.

Conclusion:

Dark Sky laws are necessary in order to protect our environment and preserve the beauty of the night sky. Requiring outdoor lights to be warm colors helps reduce blue light scattering into the night sky, reducing light pollution as well as protecting our natural circadian rhythms so we can get a good night’s sleep and stay healthy.

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Samantha Mckinney