Claude Turmes, Minister of Energy and Spatial Planning;
Credit: Caroline Martin
Yesterday's Night Light conference foresaw the development and initial implementation of a plan aimed at minimising light pollution in Clervaux.
Luxembourg Minister of Energy, Minister of Spatial Planning Claude Turmes, Dr. Lukas Schuler, an expert in light pollution and honorary president of Dark-Sky Switzerland, and Nynke-Rixt Jukema, initiator of the Night Light project, yesterday presented a summary of the actions taken and a perspective on the envisaged measures in the fight against light pollution.
The aim of the four-year Night Light project (2017-2021) is to develop and improve regional strategies for the containment of light pollution as well as the protection and sustainable enhancement of the natural darkness of the night sky.
The speakers recalled the consequences of light pollution and its negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystems as well as on human health. Thanks to the partnership started in March 2017 between the communes of the Our Nature Park and the relevant ministries, the first successful actions to reduce light pollution in the region have been put in place by the Night Light working group. These are a follows: the exemplary lighting of the football field in Wilwerwiltz, located in the municipality of Kiischpelt; the development and start of implementation of a masterplan aimed at minimising light pollution in the town of Clervaux; the optimisation of public lighting installations and redefinition of public lighting cut-off times as part of the "Bonne lumière/Gutes Licht" pilot project in the municipality of Putscheid; the exemplary conversion of public lighting installations in Hosingen Park by the trade union SISPOLO; a municipal procedure concerning the regulation of advertising signs in Hosingen Park.
The guide for intelligent lighting of outdoor spaces (Leitfaden "Gutes Licht" im Außenraum für das Großherzogtum Luxemburg) was consulted throughout the development of these actions.
The working group is committed to pursuing its objectives in order to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky in the Our Nature Park region and thus restore a starry sky to its inhabitants. Thus, it plans to implement a regional action plan with 26 measures aimed at making the whole region of Oesling shine in a lasting light (Éisleck am neie Liicht).
