LIGHT + TECH 119


10 THINGS THAT THE LIGHTING INDUSTRY CAN DO TO COMBAT LIGHT POLLUTION


1 – Better than best


What is often regarded as ‘best practice’ is frequently based on ideas, processes, guidance and standards that by their very nature are out of date in so far that their formulation, acceptance and adoption happened many years ago. We don’t simply need to find ways to properly re-evaluate best practice but find better ways to base it on the latest thinking and evidence.


2 – Use less not more


We all need to learn to live with less light. There is no quicker way to reduce energy use, light pollution, and unwanted


environmental impacts than to limit our reliance on cheap, instantly available, artificial light. Whether this comes down to better design, modifying standards or simply promoting lower levels of illuminance, we need to clearly communicate that ‘brightest is not best’ and ‘less is more’.


3 – Subtract rather than add Light is an additive medium. Darkness is the natural condition after the sun sets. We should not only be retaining darkness but also subtracting light, creating a world that does not try to extend the day but allows us to coexist with the night. While we were raised to fear the dark, we need to find ways to use less light with confidence.


4 – Practise as well as preach Becoming a more responsible lighting designer is dificult. Prevailing trends and attitudes, and the wish to create joy, excitement and entertainment can often work against environmentally led thinking. The lighting profession needs to reward good design in new and progressive ways. Responsible


lighting should be feted even if it does not produce great ‘eye candy’. How do we make low-impact schemes pleasing while minimising light?


5 – Technique as well as technology The lighting industry has long been driven by the reinvention of technology in the name of progress. Greater emphasis should be placed on lighting technique, where the visual and perceptual outcome become the focus. Creativity, interpretation and composition are the key to taking a more responsible approach to lighting design. Light sources and fittings are the tools for the delivery of those ideas.


6 – Exercise self-control


Better and more effective regulation and guidance that promotes a more holistic and well-balanced approach is needed. This should come from within the lighting design profession rather than from other parties who sometimes believe that lighting design is ‘easy’. Very few outdoor lighting schemes are designed by properly qualified and experienced lighting professionals. Commissioning clients and facilities managers need to better understand the value of good lighting.


7 – Waste not, want not While the output, eficiency and flexibility of lighting equipment is important, so is embodied energy and the ability to reuse, upgrade and recycle. Tonnes of unwanted, prematurely redundant lighting equipment is wasted each year. End users need to appreciate value rather than cost and factor in the real environmental consequences of using cheap, badly designed, poor-quality equipment over properly optically designed,


well-constructed, robust and locally sourced luminaires.


8 – Going in circles Lighting systems are still developed with built-in


obsolescence. We used to replace just the lamp. Now we often have no choice other than to throw the whole fitting away. While things are improving, greater attention needs to be paid to circular design. Regulatory frameworks that control the waste of valuable materials need tightening. New ways of making and reusing luminaires and their supporting infrastructure need to be explored.


8 – Going in circles


Lighting systems are still developed with built-in obsolescence. We used to replace just the lamp. Now we often have no choice other than to throw the whole fitting away. While things are improving, greater attention needs to be paid to circular design. Regulatory frameworks that control the waste of valuable materials need tightening. New ways of making and reusing luminaires and their supporting infrastructure need to be explored.


10 – Regeneration not procrastination


There needs to be a greater sense of urgency. Climate change demands action now, not in the future. The time has come to act and take more progressive and environmentally responsible measures immediately rather than wait for consensus-driven change. We need to find a place for lighting as part of regenerative design.


Mark Major, senior partner, Speirs Major, ROLAN speaker


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