THEME #3 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NIGHT SKY TO HUMAN HEALTH

The participants in this group agreed that the information they received at the symposium was disturbing with respect to the effect of light pollution on human health.

According to some research, light pollution causes the disruption of equilibrium and balance in the human system, resulting in

• Diseases - cancers, disability, cardiovascular
• sleep disorders which affect psychological well-being, job performance, and proneness to accident
• mood alteration that expresses itself in depression, poor reaction to stress, lack of energy, and irritation

The participants agreed that the importance of the night sky to the individual is multi-faceted. Darkness permits the preservation and resetting of circadian rhythms. It is restorative and, socially, conducive to intimacy. The importance of the night sky to collective humanity is not measurable but relates to collective well being, including spiritual well being.

The group agreed that, through education and awareness development, we need to address our fear of the dark, rational and otherwise. We need to address the very real problem that light pollution causes with respect to general safety and to protection of workers.

The group questioned the value of the 24/7 lifestyle that is being adopted in developed countries. "Is it wise to burn the candle at both ends?"

THEME SUMMARIES MENU

1. Scientific and Biological Interests
2. Importance of the Night Sky to the Cultural, Spiritual and Historical Worlds
3. Importance of the Night Sky to Human Health
4. Achieving Dark Sky Compliance through Voluntary and Regulatory Means
5. Recommendations from the Symposium Theme Sessions