Cumbria Expands Light Pollution Monitoring to Protect Dark Skies and Wildlife

More light sensors are set to be installed across Cumbria to measure light pollution and help protect the county’s dark skies.
The first of two new thermal energy storage system meters were recently fitted at St Bridget’s Primary School near Cockermouth and Ennerdale Primary School in Cleator Moor. These are part of a global network of hundreds of meters from the Stars4All Foundation, which take readings every minute to monitor light pollution levels. All data is accessible to the public and researchers alike
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Jack Ellerby, Dark Skies Project Officer at Friends of the Lake District, said light pollution in the region had been “slightly increasing” year on year, impacting important pollinators such as moths. He added that four more meters would be installed next year in Kendal, Troutbeck, the Furness Peninsula, and near Carlisle.
“Reducing the impact of light pollution will help reverse the catastrophic decline in insect and invertebrate populations,” Mr Ellerby said. “When humans are tucked up in bed, a huge number of other species are busy breeding, feeding, and migrating during the hours of darkness.”
The charity has also run information sessions at the schools. Children took part in creating posters about protecting dark skies and received advice cards on ways to reduce light pollution at home, such as using warmer-coloured bulbs and installing motion-activated lights.