good light group
Light and Health: A definitive exploration continues here Good Light Group
Good Light Group
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In this issue, Dave Hollingsbee introduces the Good Light Group - an organisation focused on the impacts of lighting on human health.
Keen eyed regular readers of this column will notice that the usual GreenLight Alliance logo has been swapped with that of the Good Light Group. This in no way suggests that the work is all done when it comes to sustainability. While it is true that huge progress has been made over the past five years: terms like “harmonised metric” are known and understood, as are LCAs and EPDs; many readers likely have encountered TM66 and TM65.2 metrics; and remanufacturing (rather than buying new) has become mainstream. The tide may finally be turning on Cat A fit outs too. Expect to see more on these topics and case studies, in the future, but now we share the stage with another vitally important topic within our sector, and it is not unrelated: Light and Health. By light and health, we don’t just mean “tuneable white”, “warm dim”. These are nice features but arguably have muddied the waters or distracted from the real issues. Truly “human centric” or “circadian” lighting is about much more than simply dimming and dropping CCT as the day goes on. Warm dim could be argued to be the equivalent of boiling sustainability down to just recycling. It’s a start, but there is so much more to understand. It is important that we do. Just as our industry has improved impressively in terms of light LED source efficiency (the inescapable lm/W) and sharpened up aspects like colour rendition, optical control and controls – there remains an elephant in the room. There is a growing body of evidence pointing to myriad threats to human wellbeing if we don’t alter the way we approach artificial indoor lighting. Conversely, with this technology, and by interpreting the evidence correctly, there is unprecedented opportunity for parties all across our industry to intervene intelligently and positively. It is a large, complicated and evolving subject. So, this is where we bring in the Good Light Group (and the closely affiliated Good Light Group Asia). The Good Light Group exists as non-profit organisation operating globally, with a legal structure as a foundation, registered in 2019. Its main objective is to gather and interpret precisely
these facts, and to promote the exposure to healthy light across all sectors. To establish and promote the benefits of natural daylight and electric lighting that compensates for its absence, as well as the health risks associated with spending all day indoors, where the light is normally too dim during the day and too bright in the evening. Affiliated scientists work together with lighting designers to inform on the practical implementation of the latest research developments. Founded in 2019, it is funded by individual members and commercial sustaining members. The group seeks to promote science-backed, actionable interventions for Healthy Light. The backbone of the group is its 33 Science Advisors from around the world. The group share fantastically informative newsletters, host webinars with its experts and guest speakers. It issues very accessible videos, brochures and infographics. In coming issues, we will explore a variety of fascinating and important studies, recommendations, emerging data and case studies. We will introduce eminent scientists working in this area, share papers and recommend further reading and viewing resources. But for this first issue, the Good Light Group founder Jan Denneman starts unapologetically by answering WHY? Never mind the ethics, or the science for now, how do I sell it to the bean-counters?