HR0668LRB101 16736 ECR 66125 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Light pollution is defined as the brightening of
3the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made
4sources; it has a disruptive effect on the natural cycles and
5inhibits the observation of stars and planets near urban
6localities and industrial districts; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Counter to "ambient" or "natural" light, light
8pollution results from amplified use of artificial electrical
9light; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Too much light pollution has adverse
11consequences, such as washing out starlight in the night sky,
12interfering with astronomical research, disrupting ecosystems,
13poor health effects, and wasting energy; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Though light pollution affects Illinoisians
15across the state, it is most prominent in urban localities and
16industrial districts; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The luminous glow of light pollution prevents
18nearly eighty percent of people in North America from seeing
19our Milky Way Galaxy in the night sky; more than ninety-nine
20percent of people living in the United States and Europe
21witness light pollution skies on a nightly basis; and
 

 

 

HR0668- 2 -LRB101 16736 ECR 66125 r

1    WHEREAS, Meanwhile, there are countries, such as Chad and
2Madagascar, where the majority of people live under crisp
3black-sky conditions; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Light pollution affects more than simply the
5aesthetic view of the evening landscape; the circadian rhythm
6of an individual exposed to especially damaging light pollution
7can be thrown into disarray, resulting in sleep disorders which
8can impact the individual's personal, physical, and emotional
9well-being; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Light pollution can confuse the migratory
11patterns of animals, alter competitive interactions of
12animals, change predator-prey relations, and cause
13physiological harm to numerous wildlife species; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Such light pollution can be curtailed by light
15fixture and bulb selection and the proper shielding of urban
16lighting; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
18HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
19we encourage awareness about the impact and possible prevention
20of light pollution within the State of Illinois.