AquaPLAN collaborating with Interreg Central Europe project DARKERSKY4CE

AquaPLAN has started new networking activities with the 2.5-year Interreg and EU-funded project DARKERSKY4CE. As you may be aware, artificial light at night (ALAN) in cities can be helpful for us humans but it is also polluting! ALAN negatively affects human health and the environment. Unfortunately, in many central European cities awareness of light pollution and its effects is still rather low. This will be addressed by DARKERSKY4CE. The partners are aiming to change light pollution perceptions amongst local policymakers, tourism entities and citizens. They are highlighting the adverse impacts of light pollution on ecosystems and are promoting dark skies as an asset for sustainable development. The project is setting up a transnational network to foster dialogue, paving the way for a “Dark Skies Macro Region.”

AquaPLAN will join the DARKERSKY4CE Working Group (WG) – Safeguarding the Central Europe Nocturnal Ecosystems. This WG is investigating strategies related to biodiversity, interference between artificial lights and species well-being, astronomical observation (the increase in light pollution at night is becoming a serious threat to the observation of celestial bodies), etc. They are investigating how to better shape our future in terms of ecosystem protection: light pollution has negative effects on different species causing habitat loss for many, not to mention the strong effect ALAN has on peoples’ production of melatonin.

Learn more about DARKERSKY4CE