The 14th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky
DARK skies ... BRIGHT ideas ... and a WARM welcome !
That’s why we are bringing academics, activists, architects, astronomers, community groups, conservationists, dark sky advocates, ecologists, engineers, lighting experts, planners, policy makers, scientists and more (!) together to discuss the challenges and explore the solutions to reversing light pollution and implementing best practices for dark sky friendly lighting.
Please
join us.
Background
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'The European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky’ was originally held in France in 1998 and most recently in Pamplona, Spain in 2013. This important event presents the work of experts from different fields and countries on the various facets of light pollution; its impact on the environment, health, economy and cultural heritage.
The Friends of Mayo Dark Skies Community Group will host the 14th European Symposium for the protection of the Night Sky, from 3rdto 5th November 2019 (immediately following the Mayo Dark Sky Festival) in collaboration with Dark Sky Ireland and an international organising panel.
The 2019 programme offers a platform for research, activism and policy discussions on protecting the night sky featuring:
• Plenary talks and workshops
• Research presentations
• At least 3 invited guest speakers
• Poster sessions for researchers
• Field Trip to Mayo International Dark Sky Park
• Reception and gala event with key speakers
For centuries natural starry night skies have inspired art, science and poetry and also helped explorers and migrating birds to navigate. Without taking action to reduce light pollution, there is a risk of losing our view of the stars as well as a threat to our biodiversity, climate action goals and our wellbeing.
It is time to reclaim the night and plan a bright future.
We are losing our largest natural habitat, the night sky, at an alarming rate due to the growth of light pollution. The Milky Way is no longer visible to one third of humanity - including 60 percent of Europeans and 80 percent of Americans.
Over 18% of the Irish population uses colour vision at night as we have created 24 hour daylight conditions in many places. This has longer-term implications for human health matters and for biodiversity; drawing important species such as night pollinators away from natural habitats and food sources.
Darkness matters for nature’s cycle of day and night.
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