Lights down, stars up!
As winter arrives in the northern hemisphere, the nights grow longer and darker. While this season offers opportunities to enjoy starry skies, winter activities, or to spend time indoors with family and friends, it also brings certain safety challenges. To address this, we’ve added reflective elements to our winter collection at Eureka, enhancing visibility and safety in low light environments.
At the same time, it’s essential to consider the impact of outdoor lighting on the environment. In many areas, up to 30% of outdoor lighting is directed upwards, which wastes energy and disrupts the night sky. This excessive lighting can also be harmful to endangered insects, who are often drawn to bright lights.
Here’s how we can make a difference:
- Use reflective gear, like Eureka’s winter gloves, to improve visibility.
- Point outdoor lights downward, focusing on necessary areas.
- Avoid excessive lighting and use only as much as needed.
- Choose warmer-colored lights, which are less harsh on the eyes and less attractive to insects.
By making small changes in our lighting habits, we can stay safe, protect the night sky, and support a more sustainable environment.
Learn more about protecting dark skies here: https://www.darkskymap.com/nightSkyBrightness