By: Pierre Paquette

Pierre Paquette — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:45:37 +0000

One of the efforts to fight against light pollution here in Québec is simply called IDA Québec. We are a group of about 15–20 people from all spheres of society, having to do with lighting and its control: amateur astronomers of course, but also lighting engineers, architects, and people who have influence with city councils, for example.
Three of us will be present at the Victoria Hall in Westmount for Earth Hour on March 26th, to inform people about what light pollution is, and how to reduce it.
Of course astronomers suffer from light pollution, but there are a lot of other “victims” as well — a very simple example is my neighbor’s light shining in my bedroom, keeping me from having good sleep if I don’t wear a mask (how nice for a guy!)… There also is a case in the United States where a front hedge was lit by a very bright light that the landowner refused to turn down… until the light blinded a car driver once night, and he didn’t see the landowner’s son coming out, and he hit him to death… 🙁
IDA Québec’s website is still in its infancy, but it should develop gradually as we all put some energy into it. Those who read French will find a little more content for now; eventually, the whole site will be bilingual.
Please visit http://www.idaquebec.org regularly to learn what you can do to fight against light pollution, and how you can approach your municipal authorities with a template for regulation against it.
We do not advocate turning all lights off at night; we advocate smarter lighting. Hence our slogan: “From bright light to right light”.

Comments on: Join Montreal’s Light Pollution Debate

By: Pierre Paquette