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durhimregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ JANUARY 19,2005 ♦ PAGE 3 f.r [{Group wants Durham residents seeing stars j'Çlarington has 'flight pollution !J>lan, but everyone iànust help to take back the night, astronomers say BY CARLY FOSTER Staff writer DURHAM -- Ian Whcclband likes the dark, and he wants it restored. Mr. Wheelband and the Durham Region Astronomical Association (DRAA) are hoping a review of the Region's official plan will put in requirements for municipalities to cut down on light pollution and bring back the star-filled night sky. "Light pollution, and the poorly designed luminaries that cause it, waste energy that costs Durham residents in excess of $3 million annually, creates glare that reduces night-time road visibility... visibility... (and) results in light trespass that adversely affects the local habitat," habitat," Mr. Wheelband said in a recent presentation to the regional planning committee. On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Wheelband points 9 metres in the air to a light standard at Taunton Road and Brock Street in north Whitby. The intersection is unique in that it houses , both good and bad examples of street lights. With the bad light, the glass protrudes protrudes downward, the bulb encased inside. It's this protrusion that causes all the problems, Mr. Wheelband said: it causes light to shoot out upward and sideways, illuminating too much area and causing glare. The good light standard is flat and smooth. The bulb is encased inside the light head, and sends light straight downward, illuminating what is below. "If bright light is shining into the eyes at night, you can actually see less," Mr. Wheelband said. "All these glaring lights prevent you from seeing people on the side of the road." While môre efficient light standards and bulbs are more expensive, the' savings in electricity would pay for the extra cost in less than a year, the DRAA website says. "Would you let your bathroom tap run half open for all the time you sleep?" Mr. Wheelband asked. "This is the equivalent of what we do every night on almost every street in the region as our luminaries spill half their light skyward and blot out the night sky to the detriment of. all." All. those wasted rays have to be made up with more electricity, Mr. Wheelband said. Illumination from poor street lights info bedrooms disrupts disrupts sleep, and excess lights affect animals and plant growth. But it's not just street lights, he added. Businesses and private homes also contribute to light pollution. At Harry Gilday's backyard observatory observatory in north Oshawa, increasing light pollution from the south over the past 30 years has slowly been affecting what he can see in the sky. "You look.at light pollution as poison," poison," he said. "The more light pollution pollution you see, the less you can see in the night sky." Observatories across the world are being hindered by light pollution and ' regular pollution, which creates particulates particulates in - the air, Mr. Gilday said. Even the David Dunlop Observatory in Richmond Hill, the site of the largest optical telescope in Canada, is hardly A.J. Groen/The Canadian Statesman Ian Wheelband, a member of the Durham Region Astronomical Association stands at a Durham intersection that features both old and new street lights. The old lights, Mr. Wheelband says, are costing Durham residents in more ways than one. used anymore because of pollution, he added. Some Durham municipalities are making changes: Oshawa has a program program to use efficient lights when new or replacement fixtures are needed, while Clarington and Pickering have their own light pollution abatement plans. Now the DRAA wants the Region, through its official plan, to mandate all municipalities to incorporate poli- • cies to reduce light pollution. The only change planning staff are recommending recommending is to "encourage" municipalities to make changes. "We are absolutely not against out- 'door lighting," Mr. Wheelband said. "You need it for safety, businesses need it, kids need it to play ball in the summer. "But there arc ways to do it better." 4? . 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MORTGAGES (tiiiiiinmmimmmimmmmmimi Notice Of ANNUAL MEETING OF ALL ^MEMBERS OF THE BOWMAN VILLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA DATE: Tuesday, March 22,2005 TIME: 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Resource Centre, Courtroom #1, 132 Church St., Bowman ville The meeting's agenda will include a vote to approve v the budget for 2005 and the Election of Officers A i (For more information call 905-623-2997) - } • flA ThU-Dh.)- 'y.KMUi ywxV.T.' A !•.-! '» ••• . - HDB 0 üillsiâimijia lip I HISTORIC DOWNTOWN I IbowmanvuleJ *Members include all property owners, and their commercial tenants zuho are located within the designated area. www.bowmanville.com mm ■ ; ||§F X { • • FREE $75 Adidas Running Shoe Voucher when you join.* 4\ adidas CALL TODAY! Oshawa (Open 24 Hours.) (905)433-1449 419 King St. W., Co-Ed <S Women's Club ■ Bond St W. l Ï s long St. W. P y CM? Bowmanville (905) 623-9977 Bowmanville Mall 243 King St. E., Co-Ed l w «mgsi l S Canada's Number 1 Fitness Club « or visit us at www.goodlifefitness.com HP. G oodLife FITNESS CLUBS Makes it easy' Here We Grow Again! In September 2004 we opened the doors of Knox Christian School in Bowmanville to,a 2.3 million dollar addition/renovation. Our beautiful 40,000 sq. ft. facility houses over 300 students and a staff of 30 people. Since 1957 we have provided quality Christian education to students from JK - 8. Expect to find the following in this exciting school: • qualified, Christian teachers • Biblically-based, academic instruction • active parental involvement • a large playgroimd in a park-like setting • enthusiastic students • a caring atmosphere • computers, sports, music, art and more r u Knox Christian School Have you ever thought of inquiring about Knox Christian School in a non-intimidating atmosphere? Would you like to see the school in action and receive our information package? Would you like to see our new building addition. Knox will host an OPEN HOUSE for all interested people on Tuesday, February 1 and Wednesday, February 2,2005. We will be offering schools tours and information sessions. Come and witness education from a Christian perspective. Knox Christian School Registration Kindergarten registration will be held on: Tuesday, February 1 and Wednesday, February 2,2005 from 9:00 a,in. until 3:00 p.m. Junior kindergarten students must be 4 years old on or before December 31,2005. Senior kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before December 31,2005. Registration for all other grade levels (1-8) will be accepted aS well. Call the school at 905-623-5871 to arrange your appointment. We look forward to serving you. For more information, visit our website: knox.on.ca I *1\> 'by ?nrA DURHAM REGION'S < <7 • sales •Leasing • Parts • Service mam Jeep it. WHERE YOU GET MORE THAN GREAT PRICES" 799 BLOOR ST. W., OSHAWA N- nw'wt 908-<10rt-OB2B -- www.durtnmchnwlw.coni Convenient Customer Shuttle Service"