So a new piece of legislation is currently working its way through the New York State Assembly,

which would create something called the Dark Sky Program here in New York, or otherwise known as

the Dark Sky Initiative. You see, for many years now, the people of New York, they basically

struggle to see the stars at night. Even if you happen to live in upstate New York,

100, 200 miles away from the city,

the glow from the city is still enough to cloud the night sky.

But a new law may be about to change that.

But to do so, it might bring about some serious statewide changes

that might, at the very least, potentially increase the crime rate. You see, the bill

currently making its way through Albany is called the New York State Dark Skies Protection Act.

Its ostensible aim is threefold, to reduce light pollution, to protect wildlife, as well as to stop

statewide energy wastage. According to the legislation itself, quote, the goal is to preserve

and enhance the state's dark sky while promoting safety for people, birds, and other wildlife,

conserving energy and reducing our carbon footprint and preserving the

aesthetic qualities of the night sky.

Now, in terms of the specifics of why light pollution is an actual problem in and of itself,

the bill lays out the argument this way.

Quote, light pollution, or the excessive or poor use of artificial light at night, is one of the most pervasive

forms of environmental alteration caused by humans. Light pollution has many negative impacts,

including the disruption of the natural patterns of wildlife, wasted energy and increased

output of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, interruption of human sleep, and other adverse health impacts,

and the loss of the aesthetic qualities and cultural significance of the night sky.

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