If you find yourself wondering why you’re having trouble sleeping, why you cannot see the stars, and why you’ve been hearing about overnight bird mortality in the city of Kingston, the answer may be glaring you in the face: light pollution.

Light pollution is an often overlooked danger caused by the excessive use of artificial lights at night. With the spread of urbanization, light pollution is becoming an increasingly large threat to human and wildlife health. It can disturb the human circadian rhythm, which has been linked to aggravated mental health issues and accelerated tumor growth. It can confuse migratory birds, driving them to exhaustion or to collision with windows. It can distract important pollinator species, reducing their pollination range and their population size. The effects of this unnatural light can cascade through many ecosystem interactions.

Both Kingston communities and ecosystems are being harmed by light pollution. However, if the citizens of Kingston make efforts to reduce light pollution from their homes and work institutions, together we can limit the detrimental effects of light pollution in our city.

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By signing this pledge, I am making a commitment to reduce light pollution in Kingston. I pledge to limit my use of artificial light at night by turning off lights in my home and work space when they are no longer in use. If possible, I intend to close my curtains and shield my outdoor lights to reduce light spread at night. I will remain conscious of light pollution in my municipality, speaking up and speaking out to help engage my community as well. I am doing my part to bring back the night in Kingston, Ontario.