On Saturday 12 October 2019, it is the Jour de la Nuit, the annual Day of the Night, if you will.
Organised every year for the past ten years by the French environmental organisation Agir Pour l’Environnement, the event aims to raise awareness around the subject of light pollution and the protection of nocturnal biodiversity.
Today, 83% of the world’s population is affected by light pollution. In France, shop signs and shop window lighting are supposed to be switched off between the hours of 1:00 and 7:00 in the morning ✨
So, last time we went to check out the state of affairs on the French capital’s Rue de Rivoli, we noticed that this rule… well… it wasn’t exactly being adhered to by certain businesses (we’re looking at you, Banque Populaire!).
And yet, light pollution is quite simply the second greatest manmade cause of insect deaths, right after pesticides, which has an indelible impact on the biodiversity that surrounds us 🙈
Not only this, but if business owners across the country were to shut off their shop signs and lighting at the required time, it would result in a 120,000-tonne reduction in the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
So, to all our business owner friends out there, don’t hesitate to get on board.
When it comes to light pollution, don’t mess about, go lights out! 🤗🌿🌏💡