Francis Scott Key was able to see that the flag was still there, when he looked up through Baltimore's night skies. Of course, the skies were a lot clearer then than they are now. Today, it is hard to find a pure night sky that is free from light pollution.

We remember clear night skies. They were those rich black backdrops that hosted some of the most beautiful celestial shows that could be imagined. Brilliantly black skies supported the Milky Way, both Dippers, the Moon and many planets. And star after star.

In many parts of the United States, night times are no longer the same. Glares and misguided glows, often emanating from poor quality street and building lighting, have corroded many nightscapes. Many cities and towns suffer from poor night sky views. Distorted views are so often the norm that is only the rare trip to the mountains that reminds many people that our skies have been so affected. This phenomenon, which people have been talking about for the last ten years or so, is called light pollution.

Light pollution is largely caused by poor quality lighting. Proper lighting requires the kind of planning and calculation that is often ignored when lights are installed. Proper lighting must be shielded, so that it is directed and not lost into the skies. Proper lighting also requires moderation. Just the right amount should be used. Too much leads to pollution. And proper lighting must be directed downward, on its subject, rather than sideways or toward the skies.

Fortunately, an important organization called the International Dark-Sky Association, is fighting to restore our nighttime environment for all of us.

Its address is 325 Cloudes Mill Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304-3080. You can visit IDA's website at www.darksky.com.

According to the very busy Bob Gent, IDA's Public Relations Officer, IDA was co-founded in 1987 by Dr. David Crawford, astronomer at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, and Dr. Tim Hunter, a medical doctor at the University of Arizona Medical Center. IDA has achieved nonprofit, educational organization status from the IRS.

IDA's mission is to promote quality outdoor lighting that conserves energy, reduces glare, improves safety and vision, while preserving the beauty of our night skies. "We believe everyone wins by following our recommendations. Our nearly 4,000 members from 70 nations are committed to these goals." 4,000 members from 70 nations shows that IDA is very serious about restoring our collective night vision!

IDA is steadfastly reaching its ambitious objectives through public education programs. The organization has published nearly 200 information fact sheets and a quarterly newsletter. IDA also maintains an award winning web page at www.darksky.org, and hosts regional, national and international meetings to discuss the problems of light pollution and methods of reaching win-win solutions.

And talking about commitment, here is something that speaks volumes about this worth while organization. All of IDAs section officers, board of directors, its webmaster, newsletter editor and PR officer are volunteers. According to Gent, " I think we've made remarkable progress with these volunteers. Last year, we hired our first employee, and now we have a small staff at the IDA office."

The IDA convincingly maintains that we are wasting an enormous amount of energy, perhaps two billion dollars annually in the USA alone. This money is wasted by shining lights straight up into the sky or by creating blinding glare. Glare originates from very poorly designed lights that adversely impact all of us. In addition, we are just now beginning to understand the full scope of environmental harm to birds that migrate at night and to nocturnal animals. In fact, the National Parks Conservation Association has issued a new policy paper, warning of our Vanishing Night Skies.

Gent explains , as urban sprawl and growth continues, we must take extra special care to address the light pollution problem. If we neglect to do so, "we will lose touch with the splendor of our night skies. The star filled skies have been with us for millions of years. Do we really want to lose them?"

The IDA urges that people become familiar with glare and light trespass problems, and investigate quality outdoor lighting sources. They should insist that all outdoor lighting meets minimum quality standards. While most of us would never accept glaring lights indoors, few people have historically cared about the installation of poorly designed outdoor lighting.

If we use similar techniques with quality outdoor lighting, we will see better and be safer; we will save energy; protect our environment, and preserve the beauty of our night skies. According to the IDA, energy savings would result from more efficient light usage.

People are listening. Recently, our National Parks started tackling light pollution problems. In addition, New Mexico passed the "Night Sky Protection Act," joining several other states with laws to control light pollution. And Canada established its first ever Dark-Sky Preserve in Ontario, just last July. Fortunately, people are listening.

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Published: December 23, 1999

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Stuart Lieberman, Esq. writes about environmental issues. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 to 1990. Currently he is a shareholder in the environmental law firm of Lieberman & Blecher, P.C., located in Princeton, New Jersey. Stuart can be reached at slieberman@liebermanblecher.com.