Dulverton switches off lights for BBC Stargazing Live
Wednesday saw the first live broadcast of ‘Stargazing Live’, which is trying to get people to think about the amount of excess light they are using and demonstrate how even the smallest places in rural England create a lot of light. The television programme came from Dulverton in the Exmoor National Park – a place Jessica and I know very well – with residents and businesses asked to turn off their lights. In November 2011 the Exmoor National Park was designated Dark-Sky Reserve (IDR) status by the International Dark-Sky Association. Exmoor is Europe’s first dark sky reserve and the status means the night-sky is protected and lighting controls are in place to prevent light pollution. According to the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), starry skies are becoming harder to see. Figures released by CPRE show that between 1993 and 2000 light pollution across England increased by 24%. The amount of truly dark sky dropped to from one-sixth of the country to just over a tenth (11%). And seven per cent of the night sky – more than a twentieth – is now so light that people can see clearly. CPRE believes that the Government needs to introduce planning guidance to control light pollution. CPRE is leading ‘ Star Count Week 2012’ (20-27 January) asking people to count stars within the constellation of Orion.