Resolutions: Third International Starlight Conference. by Cipriano Marin

10 reasons to

defend Starlight 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Astronomy, professional and amateur Ecological integrity Energy efﬁciency Cultural practices including ceremony, inspiration and spirituality Tangible and Intangible cultural heritage Landscape beauty and appreciation Wilderness experience Starlight tourism Human health Safety and security

The participants in the Third International Starlight Conference, meeting in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, on the 10th- 13th of June 2012, Guided by the principles set forth in the Starlight Declaration (La Palma 2007), and the conclusions of the International Workshop and Expert Meeting: “Starlight Reserves and World Heritage scientiﬁc, cultural, and environmental values” (Fuerteventura, 2009), Agreed the following considerations and recommendations:

Dark skies and

nature

conservation Progressive Development Considerations • Given that species and ecosystems have night as well as day cycles and that artificial light can interfere with organism and ecosystem functions; • Understanding that cultural heritage sites are best enjoyed in an authentic state, and that the enjoyment of landscape aesthetics and true wilderness experiences are often diminished by artificial light, causing glare, light trespass and sky glow; • Recognizing that astronomy, both scientific and amateur, along with night sky viewing by all people, is fundamental to understanding and enjoying our natural world; • Taking into account the guidance contained in the 2009 “Starlight Reserve” concept developed in collaboration with UNESCO-WHC, IAU, UN-WTO and other IGOs and NGOs; • Restating point 5 of The Starlight Declaration 2007: “The negative effects of emissions and of the increased intrusion of artificial light on the atmospheric quality of nocturnal skies in protected areas have an impact on several species, habitats, and ecosystems. Control of obtrusive light must be a basic element of nature conservation policies and should be implemented in the management plans of the different types of protected areas to fulfil their mission in protecting nature and biological diversity”;

Recommendations We hereby: 1. Call upon environmental and natural resource management agencies to recognize that artificial lighting should be subject to effective standards in order to help restore and/or maintain the ecological integrity of natural areas and the commemorative integrity of cultural sites, to respect traditional beliefs related to the night sky, and to protect species and ecosystems everywhere; 2. Suggest that infrastructure management authorities regulate and control artificial lighting in the areas under their jurisdiction so as to achieve only the necessary amount, spectrum, positioning and timing of outdoor illumination for public use and safety; 3. Encourage managers of natural areas and non-governmental organizations to promote awareness of the value of the night sky and the need for, and methods of, minimising light pollution; 4. Recommend that universities, science funding agencies, and scientific institutions foster and support research into the nocturnal aspects of biological and ecological functions; 5. Urge protected area management authorities to foster visitor activities that lead to public appreciation and understanding of nocturnal ecology and the night sky; 6. Recommend that protected area and other conservation agencies seek opportunities to cooperate with scientific and amateur astronomy organizations and indigenous peoples to develop and maintain optimum lighting design, darkness monitoring, delivery of visitor activities and outreach related to the night sky, the nocturnal aspects of ecosystems, and the importance of the night sky to traditional cultures; 7. Warn that light sources with a high blue component adversely affect many species and alter ecosystem function both in urban environments and beyond, and are particularly harmful to both casual stargazing and professional astronomy; 8. Support the objectives and efforts made by DSAG-IUCN (Dark Sky Advisory Group), and the motion on “Dark Skies and Nature Conservation” to be submitted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress at its 5th session in Jeju, Korea (2012).

Bridging astronomical

heritage and

modern astronomy Progressive Development Considerations • Recognizing that the sky, our common and universal heritage is an integral part of the total environment of mankind and that both inspiration and knowledge have come from astronomical scientiﬁc research and discoveries; • Noting the Thematic Study Heritage Sites of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy in the context of the World Heritage Convention jointly prepared by ICOMOS and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group, constitutes the background for a comparative analysis to assess the Outstanding Universal Value of a speciﬁc site of the same type proposed for World Heritage listing; • Recalling the Resolution B5 in Defence of the Night Sky and the Right to Starlight adopted at the IAU General Assembly 2009; • Recognizing the importance of maintaining the quality of the night sky for science and development of astronomy;

• Considering that currently there are only a few places on the planet where we find this unique combination of environmental and natural circumstances resulting in well conserved spaces with very little alteration to natural starlight, called “windows to the universe”; • Recalling the importance of intangible cultural heritage of each site as a vehicle for assessment of starlight as a resource for citizens; • Restating points 8, 4 and 6 of The Starlight Declaration 2007, “Areas suitable for unimpaired astronomic observation constitute an asset in short supply on our planet, and their conservation represents a minimum effort in comparison with the benefits they contribute to our knowhow and to scientific and technological development. The protection of sky quality in these singular places must be given priority in regional, national, and international scientific and environmental policies. The measures and

provisions must be made to safeguard clear skies and to protect such spaces from the harmful effects of light, radio-electric emissions, and air pollution”. “Access to knowledge, armed with education, is the key to allow the integration of science into our present culture, contributing to the advance of humankind. The dissemination of astronomy and the scientiﬁc and cultural values associated with the contemplation of the universe should be considered as basic contents to be included in educational activities, which require a clear and unpolluted sky and proper training of educators in these subjects”. “Mindful that a starry night sky forms an integral part of the landscape perceived by the inhabitants of every territory, including urban areas, the landscape policies established in the different juridical systems need to adopt the pertinent standards for preserving the quality of the night skyscape, thus allowing them to guarantee the common right to contemplate the ﬁrmament”.

Recommendations We hereby: 9. Welcome the progress made by the thematic study on the Heritage of Astronomy by ICOMOS and the IAU Working Group on Astronomy and World Heritage and encourage these bodies to disseminate their results; 10. Encourage States Parties to propose new sites to the World Heritage List, taking into consideration the heritage associated with astronomy, and especially those places that have pristine skies and exceptional natural, cultural and/or scientiﬁc values; 11. Support the highest recognition and protection of exceptional sites called “Windows to the Universe”; 12. Encourage actions to revitalize intangible cultural heritage and inspire future generations; 13. Urge the recovery of observatories in urban environments and enhance their use and sustainability for the public access and educational.

Combat Light

Pollution: Save

Energy and Recover the

Stars

Progressive Development Considerations • Understanding that light pollution is introduced by humans, directly or indirectly, with artificial light into the environment; • Recognizing that light pollution has increased in recent years and become a global problem requiring local solutions; • Noting that energy efficiency, human health, and personal safety are all enhanced by the use of proper lighting and diminished by excess lighting; • Taking into account that 17% of electricity consumption worldwide is due to the lighting, and therefore lighting has important implications for climate change; • Recalling that reducing light pollution and energy saving lighting contributes significantly to the goals of

the global initiative on “Sustainable Energy for All” launched by United Nations in 2012; • Recognizing the need for better information and monitoring of light pollution globally and locally, from Earth and from space; • Recalling that Shanghai Declaration on Urban Futures and Human and Ecosystem Wellbeing (UNESCO’s Urban Futures Programme, Shanghai, 2010) “urge regional, national, state or provincial, and local authorities to help address climate change, environment and pollution issues, including light pollution, through a range of resource use efficiency programmes and renewable energy production and to allocate sufficient resources to achieve the objectives of economically sustai-

Recommendations

nable and environmentally sound urban development”; • Restating point 7 of The Starlight Declaration 2007: “The intelligent use of artificial lighting that minimises sky glow and avoids obtrusive visual impact on both humans and wildlife has to be promoted. Public administrations, the lighting industry, and decisionmakers should also ensure that all users of artificial light do so responsibly as part of an integral part of planning and energy sustainability policies, which should be supported by light pollution measuring, both from the ground and from space. This strategy would involve a more efficient use of energy so as to meet the wider commitments made on climate change, and for the protection of the environment”.

We hereby: 14. Consider that the first step towards efficiency is to limit unnecessary outdoor lighting; 15. Encourage the adoption of standard rules that allow a substantial reduction of the levels currently used in outdoor lighting; 16. Disseminate the concept of eco-friendly technologies in lighting, which besides energy efficiency should take into account the control of light pollution by giving the following minimum proscriptions: - do not allow luminaires to send any light directly at and above the horizontal; - do not waste downward light flux outside the area to be lit; - avoid over lighting; - shut off lights when the area is not in use; - aim for zero growth of the total installed flux; 17. Promote the implementation of laws, by-laws and ordinances on the protection of the night sky and light pollution control, taking the example of recent advanced experiences; 18. Consider the health problems of using light at night, especially blue content of light and so recommend to limit night time blue content of light used both indoors and outdoors; 19. Promote “Lighting Benchmarks of Excellence” as relevant examples of initiatives that local authorities have realised in their territories, and are particularly proud of and endorse as models for other local authorities to replicate; 20. Support completion and funding of the II World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness, given its importance for the necessary control and knowledge of this phenomenon; 21. Propose the reduction of light pollution as an objective of the energy efficiency in the UN global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All; 22. Promote the Starlight cities action under the umbrella of the Urban Futures Programme (UNESCO-MaB), as a related initiative of the EU Covenant of Mayors, launched in Shanghai Conference (2010).

Starlight Tourism: a

driving

force to value dark

skies

Progressive Development Considerations • Recognizing this opportunity to bring science and tourism together; • Emphasizing the need to ensure the quality of tourism experiences involving the nightscapes, the view of stars and the cosmos and the related scientiﬁc, cultural and environmental knowledge; • Recognition of science as a tourist product and, at the same time, as a working method in tourism; • Recognizing that tourism is the medium which will unite parties supporting productive activities in the

landscape and those supporting preservation of the clear skies and associated scientiﬁc, cultural, environmental and spiritual meaning; • Understanding that starlight tourism in excellent dark sky sites represents a new way for sustainable tourism, and can be a powerful economic subsector that generates green employment, stimulates local development, and fosters creativity; • Restating point 9 of The Starlight Declaration 2007: “Among others, tourism can become a major instru-

Recommendations 23. Strengthen the cooperation among the scientific community and key tourism stakeholders to develop tourist products with a solid knowledge base; 24. Improve the training and capacity building of key actors, including astro-tour guides, scientific tour operators, and service providers; 25. Promote cooperation between dark-sky places in the smart development of astro-tourism and night time nature touristic products, to explore the natural night landscapes as part of our natural environment, including the night sky and nocturnal fauna and flora; 26. Maintain and reinforce cooperation with the UN-WTO Knowledge Network and the UNESCO-MaB Program as partners in the development of the Starlight Tourism Destinations; 27. Support the implementation of the “Starlight Destinations” as a new scientific tourism product in relation to the World Heritage properties, as proposed in the working document submitted to the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC-12/36.COM/5D).

ment for a new alliance in defence of the quality of the nocturnal skyscape. Responsible tourism can and should take on board the night sky as a resource to protect and value in all destinations. Generating new tourist products based on the observation of the ﬁrmament and the phenomena of the night, opens up unsuspected possibilities for cooperation among tourism stakeholders, local communities, and scientiﬁc institutions”.

Law the Right to and

Starlight Progressive Development Considerations

• Recognizing our right to starlight as a resource for cultural, scientiﬁc, environmental, health, touristic and spiritual needs; • Recognizing our right to knowledge based on scientiﬁc heritage and development based on different cultures of previous generations; • Understanding that the right to a healthy life includes a right to nocturnal environments including starlight; • Recalling that spiritual inspiration, teachings and practices include the night sky, the stars and heavenly bodies as part of its doctrine; • Understanding that our Right to Starlight is exercised by both “thinking globally and acting locally”;

• Referring to the importance of previous legal instruments including, but not limited to: The Outer Space Treaties; Cultural ideas and cultural property rights legal protection and mechanisms protecting the rights of groups as well as individual property owners; Regional agreements like the European Council Landscape Convention; Science-based park management and the Scientiﬁc Tour Operators under UNEP, UNESCO, and UN-WTO; recommendations regarding starlight places, terrestrial based space tourism, and astro-tourism; Starlight Cities and international law including the UNESCO “Urban Futures Programme” as integrated into the EU’s Covenant of Mayors; Light pollution con-

Recommendations We propose the following to promote the development of state and local laws, statutes, regulations and ordinances, zoning, building codes, and industry standards, as well as, international, regional, supranational, and global agreements concerning: 28.Light pollution control and efﬁcient use of energy, taking into account their implications on people’s quality of life, their impact on climate change, and the requirements related to biodiversity conservation; 29. Urban planning laws that will limit and reverse light pollution; 30. Travel and tourism development taking into consideration the host peoples’ rights as well as sustainable development for economic and social growth; 31. Cultural heritage protection; 32. Spiritual enablement.

trols through ordinances; Implementation into building code standards for environmental sustainability, including starlight communities and LEEDS; • Recognizing that there is a relationship between these diverse legal systems protecting certain rights from which our right to Starlight emerges; • Restating point 1 of The Starlight Declaration 2007, “An unpolluted night sky that allows the enjoyment and contemplation of the ﬁrmament should be considered an inalienable right of humankind equivalent to all other environmental, social, and cultural rights, due to its impact on the development of all peoples and on the conservation of biodiversity”.

Knowledge,

outreach and

networking

Recommendations 33. Promote a Global Network of Dark Sky places that would include, among others, Dark Sky parks and preserves (IDA), RASC designations, and Starlight Reserves; 34. Promote the use and dissemination of new smart portals related to heritage of astronomy and dark skies such as the Portal to the Heritage of Astronomy and the Biosphere Smart Platform (UNESCO-MaB); 35. Cooperate in the common dissemination of guidelines on the protection of dark skies and lighting, such as the IDA (International Dark Sky Association) guidelines, those prepared by OTPC-OPPC, among others, also helping in their translation into other languages; 36. Support global campaigns and initiatives related to astronomy outreach and protection of dark skies, such as The World at Night, The Global Astronomy Month, Earth Hour, Globe at Night, One Star at a Time, TWAN; 37. Report the results and proposals of this Conference to the International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Progressive Development Considerations • Recognizing the need to strengthen cooperation between all organizations and initiatives involved in the defence of the night sky, particularly among IDA (International Dark-Sky Association), Starlight Initiative, IAU WG (Astronomy and Heritage) and DSAG-IUCN (Dark Sky Advisory Group); • Considering the need to strengthen the synergies of the different dark skies campaigns and related initiatives; • Recognizing that the Starlight Initiative has already made and will continue to contribute to important sustainable development resolutions in tourism development, urban planning and infrastructure design: both in emerging and new cities, such as the “thirdtier” cities in China, and in rural areas, in near-natural landscapes and near parks and reserves;

Rapporteurs: Phil Cameron and Cipriano Marín (Starlight Initiative)

Photo credits: Cover: Fraser Gunn. Inside images: Andre Vicente Gonçalves, IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, Astrotour, The World Atlas of the Artiﬁcial Night Sky Brightness (PDF: Cinzano, P., Falchi, F., Elvidge), Fraser Gunn.