Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Restoring Darkness

Highlights from this episode:
 - hormone Therapy
 - A Nice Cup of Tea
 - Data Centers Across America
 - Bylaws

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Find the Darkness News Update on BluSky https://bsky.app/profile/darknessnewsupdate.bsky.social

Find Restoring Darkness on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@restoringdarkness?lang=en

Highlights from this episode:
 - Big News
 - Amber LEDs
 - The Flu
 - Revoked Status

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Find the Darkness News Update on BluSky https://bsky.app/profile/darknessnewsupdate.bsky.social

Highlights from this episode:
 - Cancer
 - Amber LEDs
 - Burnout
 - Moths

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Find the Darkness News Update on BluSky https://bsky.app/profile/darknessnewsupdate.bsky.social

Highlights from this episode:
 - Crime
 - Weight Loss
 - Heart Health
 - Lawsuits

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Find the Darkness News Update on BluSky https://bsky.app/profile/darknessnewsupdate.bsky.social

In this explosive episode of Restoring Darkness, hosts Michael and Mark sit down with Scott Wachter of the Darkness News Update to expose the growing threat of hostile lighting. From AI-powered strobe systems that discriminate against shoppers to police flashers that may violate the ADA, we dive deep into how light is being misused as a tool of exclusion and control.

💥 Topics include:

• Blue LED strobe systems and civil rights lawsuits
• The “mosquito” speaker and sonic harassment
• Hostile architecture and pink anti-teen lighting
• Tow truck floodlights and the Mount Sinai safety study
• India and China’s awakening to light pollution

👁️‍🗨️ Light isn’t just illumination—it’s information. And sometimes, it’s a weapon.
 🎧 Tune in and join the fight to restore darkness and protect public space.

#LightPollution #CivilRights #HostileLighting #SoftLightsFoundation #DarknessNews #RestoringDarkness #ADA #TowTruckSafety #SurveillanceTech #LEDAbuse

Connect with Scott:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-wachter-5a3109113/

https://naild.org/lighting-industry-news-brief/

https://restoringdarkness.com/darkness-news-update/

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode:

• More Migrations
• Security
• Fund Raising
• Slow Growth
  
  

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Find the Darkness News Update on BluSky https://bsky.app/profile/darknessnewsupdate.bsky.social

What if darkness wasn’t the absence of light—but a form of urban infrastructure? In this episode, we dive deep with Chiara Carucci, a transdisciplinary lighting designer who's reshaping how cities think about nighttime. From moonlit forests in Sweden to bat-friendly corridors in urban parks, Chiara shares her vision for lighting that respects biodiversity, supports human well-being, and treats darkness as a civic asset—not a void.

💡 Topics Covered:
 – How we use Artificial Light at Night ("ALAN") has significant impacts
 – The concept of “darkness acupuncture” and rewilding cities
 – Ecosystem service value: putting a price on lost darkness
 – How lighting design can heal, connect, and inspire
 – Why stargazers aren’t the only stakeholders in the darkness movement

#LightingDesign #DarknessRestoration #ChiaraCarucci #UrbanEcology #RestoringDarkness #SoftLights #Podcast

Connect with Chiara:

https://noctua.life/  

https://www.instagram.com/chiaracarucci/ or simply @chiaracarucci

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiaracarucci/

Highlights from this episode:

• Health Studies
• New DarkSky Spots
• Action For the Birds
• Space Junk

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be Found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this eye-opening episode, advocate Leo Smith takes us on a journey through the hidden costs of artificial light. From battling LED glare to reshaping roadway illumination for autonomous vehicles, Leo reveals how policy, technology, and environmental justice intersect in the fight against light pollution.

🚦 Hear about:

• The surprising dangers of over-lighting our streets
• Legal battles and advocacy for smarter lighting laws
• How connected cars could revolutionize nighttime visibility
• Why preserving darkness is a public health and ecological imperative
•  

🔦 Whether you're a city planner, stargazer, or just tired of sleepless nights, this conversation will change the way you see light—and darkness.

#LightPollution #DarkSky #LeoSmith #EnvironmentalJustice #SmartCities #Podcast

Connect with Leo:

Reducelp.org

https://instagram.com/darkskyct?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550915213597&mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://twitter.com/DarkSkyCT

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting Co., teslalightingco.com

In this eye-opening episode, we welcome Dr. Austin Roorda—visionary researcher, inventor, and professor—who takes us deep into the microscopic world of human vision. From mapping the trichromatic cone mosaic to pioneering adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, Dr. Roorda has revolutionized how we understand the eye.

👁️ Discover:

• How stimulating a single cone can create surreal color experiences
• The science behind light damage and flicker sensitivity
• Why blue light might be more harmful than we think
• The future of vision restoration and gene therapy
• What it means to be a tetrachromat—and how it could unlock new colors

🌌 Plus, we explore the beauty of seeing in true darkness, the risks of over-illumination, and how lighting design might be impacting our health more than we realize.

#VisionScience #DrAustinRoorda #RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #BlueLightHazards #Tetrachromacy #Optics #EyeHealth #DarkSky #SoftLights #Podcast

Connect with Dr. Roorda: 

www.linkedin.com/in/austin-roorda-8527aa61 

Bluesky: @roordalab.bsky.social 

http://roorda.vision.berkeley.edu 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/23/new-color-what-is-olo/83229986007 

 Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, teslalightingco.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Wind Farms at Range
 - Null Results
 - Fake Crime
 - Pufflings
Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be Found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

What if more light doesn’t mean more safety?

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, hosts Michael Colligan and Mark Baker sit down with Dr. Jim Uttley, lecturer in architectural science at the University of Sheffield and environmental psychologist, to uncover the surprising truth about street lighting, darkness, and human behavior.

🌌 Topics explored:

• How lighting shapes our perception of safety vs. actual crime risk
• Why darkness deters walking and cycling—and how minimal lighting can help
• The debate over color temperature: warmer lights, wildlife, and circadian health
• Evidence that too much light can backfire, creating glare and even increasing risks
• The flawed science behind lighting standards and why cities often get it wrong

This is a deep dive into how light at night affects crime, travel, and our environment—and why rethinking “brighter is better” could change the way we design our streets.

🔗 Links to Dr. Uttley’s research:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0324134

Variance in odds ratios for estimating the deterrent effect of darkness on cycling: Variation due to the choice of case and control hours

Variance in odds ratios for estimating the deterrent effect of darkness on cycling: Variation due to the choice of case and control hours https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311964 

 Connect with Dr. Uttley: 

Https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-uttley-9542b194/ 

Https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/architecture/people/academic/jim-uttley 

Http://lightingresearch.group.shef.ac.uk/index.html 

Highlights from this episode:

• Lights on the Borderlands
• Turtle Records
• Migrations
• Anyone for Tennis?

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be Found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this captivating episode, Berlin-based visual artist and urban practitioner Alona Rodeh takes us deep into the heart of the nocturnal city. Known for her immersive installations and advocacy for darkness preservation, Rodeh shares her journey from theater scenography to public art, blending light, sound, and urban research.

🌃 Highlights Include:

• 🔦 The paradox of safety and surveillance in overlit cities
• 🚶‍♀️ Her meditative “night walks” through Berlin’s dimly lit parks
• 🕯️ The primal connection between humans and firelight vs. the harshness of LED glare
• 🏙️ Berlin’s unique lighting culture—gas lamps, sodium lights, and intentional dimness
• 🎨 Her acclaimed Nightcaps project: sculptural interventions on street lamps to combat light pollution
• 📱 A powerful critique of screen addiction and the fading peripheral awareness in urban life

💡 Rodeh’s insights challenge conventional beliefs about light and safety, inviting listeners to reimagine darkness not as danger, but as depth, freedom, and cultural richness.

🔗 Support the movement for darkness restoration atRestoringDarkness.com
📸 Explore Alona’s work atalonarodeh.com

Night Caps: https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AE3TifPXkEhKpmY-sYhFTChDn9nQA5_vjw:1756143544359&udm=2&q=alona+rodeh+nightcaps#vhid=ikv-eIczcTmDOM&vssid=mosaic 

Connect with Alona: https://www.instagram.com/alona_rodeh/

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

In this illuminating episode, Dr. Morgan Crump, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Vermont, joins the Restoring Darkness podcast to discuss her groundbreaking work on light and noise pollution in U.S. national parks. From red streetlights in Grand Teton to quiet zones in Muir Woods, Dr. Crump shares how thoughtful design and visitor education can restore natural soundscapes and dark skies.

💡 Topics Covered:

• The impact of anthropogenic light and noise on wildlife and visitor experience
• Innovative lighting experiments using amber and red LEDs
• Quiet zones and acoustic ecology in protected areas
• Policy gaps and the need for broader public awareness
• Personal stories from the field—including a bear encounter and a surprise Mamma Mia serenade in the Grand Canyon!

🚨 Bonus Segment: Mark Baker updates us on his crusade against overly bright auxiliary vehicle lights and the legal loopholes that allow them.

🌟 Whether you're a park enthusiast, lighting designer, or just curious about how to preserve nature’s sensory beauty, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

🔗 Watch now and learn how small changes—like switching to red flashlights or turning off porch lights—can make a big difference.

#RestoringDarkness #MorganCrump #LightPollution #NoisePollution #NationalParks #DarkSky #AcousticEcology #EnvironmentalDesign #TeslaLighting #SoftLightsFoundation

Connect with Dr. Crump: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-crump-587a51222/ 

https://sites.psu.edu/parcsocialscienceacoustics/ 

 Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.teslalightingco.com

Highlights from this episode:

• Go to Jail
• Shopping Problems
• Turtle Season
• Hospital Lighting
  
  

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Highlights from this episode:

• Sleep Hazards
• Solar Panel Hazards 
• Sports Fields
• An Appeal to the UN
  
  

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Bigger, Longer Research
 - Night Shifts
 - 100 Miles of New Brunswick Coastline
 - Florida!

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at https://RestoringDarkness.com

In this illuminating episode, we explore the hidden side of human history: the night. Dr. Nancy Gonlin, professor of anthropology at Bellevue College, joins us to discuss her pioneering work in the Archaeology of the Night. Learn how ancient cultures navigated darkness, how modern lighting is disrupting our biology and making us sick, and why night pollution (aka light pollution) is more than just a nuisance—it’s a threat to health, heritage, and humanity. 

💡 Topics We Cover: 

- The Anthropology of Night and its emerging academic recognition 

- Light as a status symbol: From ancient torches to LED floodlights 

- Health impacts of artificial light and the plight of those hypersensitive to LEDs 

- Night pollution vs. light pollution—and why the distinction matters 

- Cultural practices around sleeping, steaming, storytelling, and darkness 

🔥 Plus, Mark Baker offers an update from the Soft Lights Foundation, sharing the latest efforts to reduce harmful lighting technologies in public spaces. 

🔗 References & Resources:

Find Nancy’s books, including Archaeology of the Night, here: https://upcolorado.com/our-books/our-authors/item/264-nancy-gonlin-editor

In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, Amazon: https://a.co/d/eGWT7rF,

Dark Futures, by Nick Dunn, Amazon: https://a.co/d/iFCta0H

How to Sleep Like a Caveman, by Merijn van de Laar, Amazon: https://a.co/d/0pQVMLv

#RestoringDarkness #LightPollution #ArchaeologyOfNight #NancyGonlin #Anthropology #SoftLights #DarkSky #NightStudies #SleepHealth 

Highlights from this episode:
 - The Biggest Camera Ever!
 - Extended Stay in the ICU
 - Extra-Electoral Political Action
 - Passing Gas

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this illuminating episode of the Restoring Darkness podcast, hosts Michael Colligan and Mark Baker welcome outdoor lighting designer James Solecki—founder of INTEGRA Bespoke Lighting and Island Villa Lighting. From stage lighting gigs as a teen to award-winning installations across Ontario and the Caribbean, James has carved out a unique legacy in environmentally-conscious lighting design. 

🎙️ What You'll Hear In This Episode: 

- How James' passion for light sparked a 25+ year career 

- A firsthand account of defending dark skies in cottage country 

- The balance between outdoor beauty, safety, and environmental responsibility 

- How education—not regulation—can transform communities 

- The evolution of lighting from incandescent to LED to... induction? 

- Lively debates on whether lighting really increases property security 

💡 Whether you’re a lighting professional, an environmental advocate, or just light-curious, this episode is packed with insight, philosophy, and practical wisdom.

🌓 Let’s keep chipping away at the light pollution problem—one community, one light, one night at a time. 

#RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #DarkSky #JamesSolecki #OutdoorLighting #SoftLightsFoundation #LightPollution #LEDLighting #InductionLighting #EnvironmentalLighting 

Connect with James: www.islandvillalighting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-solecki-ba05729/

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Parks Funding
 - New Data
 - Curb Cuts and Umbrellas
 - Blacker Than the Blackest Black Times Infinity!

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Eileen Kragie, founder of Dark Sky Friends and passionate advocate for DarkSky International, to explore the urgent issue of light pollution and how it's transforming our night skies. Eileen shares how her lifelong awareness of light trespass evolved into a full-scale movement for legislative reform and community action. From securing state and local proclamations to educating the public at events like the Wolf Trap National Park’s Bat and Firefly Festival and National Book Festival, she’s rallying support to protect our starry skies and the health of both humans and wildlife.

The conversation digs into:

✨ The surprising health impacts of artificial light at night 

 ✨ Problems with over-lit homes and the era of “darkness pollution” 

 ✨ The role of LED technology and utility companies in exacerbating the issue 

 ✨ Creative ways communities and individuals can embrace responsible lighting 

 ✨ Why lighting designers must rethink their approach With insights from co-hosts Mark Baker and Michael Colligan, this episode challenges assumptions, sparks critical questions, and celebrates the growing movement toward night preservation. 

📢 Want to support Eileen's mission? Visit darkskyfriends.org 

Connect with Eileen: 

https://bio.site/eileenkragie

https://www.darkskyfriends.org/

https://www.darkskynova.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taooflila

https://x.com/chandi31216

https://www.instagram.com/darkskyfriends

https://www.facebook.com/darkskyfriends

https://www.youtube.com/@darkskyfriends685

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Mark Baker and Michael Colligan dive deep into the unintended consequences of LED lighting. Mark shares eye-opening insights on LED light discrimination, its impact on people with disabilities, and the urgent need for updated policies and regulations. From the Americans with Disabilities Act to scientific discoveries about luminance, this conversation challenges the lighting industry to acknowledge that LED technology isn’t just a brighter bulb—it’s a different kind of light with serious implications for human health. Michael questions whether the industry truly understands light, calling for transparency, regulation, and a shift in thinking. Is it time to rethink how we illuminate our streets, schools, and cities? 

🔥 Key Topics: 

✅ The overlooked dangers of LED flicker and luminance 

✅ How LED lighting affects accessibility and public spaces 

✅ Why industry standards must evolve 

✅ The call for alternative lighting solutions 

💡 Join the conversation and help spread the word! Like, comment, and subscribe to Restoring Darkness for more insightful discussions. 

#LightingIndustry #LEDProblems #RestoringDarkness #Accessibility #Transparency 

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - “Health” and “Human” “Services”
 - Seasons
 - Municipal Meetings
 - The Kids are Alright

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Scientific Consensus
 - Stressed Out
 - For the Birds
 - Space Mirrors

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be Found at RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode, we welcome back Yana Yakushina, a legal expert and researcher tackling light pollution from a policy and environmental law perspective. We dive into the latest regulatory frameworks, legal victories, and the fight to recognize artificial light at night as a serious environmental issue like Germany has. Mark Baker shares real-world legal battles, including lawsuits against excessive blue LED lights and landmark cases pushing for stricter light trespass regulations. Yana unpacks international laws, EU policies, and groundbreaking studies linking light pollution to biodiversity and public health risks. 

 🔦 What you'll learn: 

- How legal systems are evolving to combat light pollution 

- The latest breakthroughs in environmental and space law 

- Real-life lawsuits shaping the future of lighting regulations 

- The science behind artificial light’s impact on ecosystems 

 Join us as we explore the intersection of law, science, and activism in the fight to preserve the night!

Yana is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent under the Horizon EU PLAN-B project, where she also serves as one of the scientific coordinators. Yana specializes in light pollution regulations and space law, leading and contributing to international projects on the development of the protection of the nocturnal environment, and collaborating with various organizations, including the Space Court Foundation Inc., the EU Commission, DarkSky International, Starlight Foundation, the International Astronomical Union, and UNOOSA. In 2023, she co-founded the Belgian dark sky organization Living Night (DarkSky Chapter).

Want to know more about the protection of the night from a regulatory perspective? Read my recent article, which classified various approaches to light pollution mitigation. 

#LightPollution #DarkSky #EnvironmentalLaw #RestoringDarkness

Connect with Yana: 

https://youtu.be/H3yA8n_jkVE 

https://www.spacecourtfoundation.org/ 

https://eng.levendenacht.be/ 

https://darksky.org/get-involved/the-european-light-pollution-manifesto/ 

Highlights from this episode:

• Health Updates
• Nesting
• Migrations
• Geopolitics

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com

Join hosts Mark and Michael as they sit down with Larry Boxer, an optical engineer with over 30 years of experience in lighting innovation. This episode dives deep into the science behind lighting design, discussing its impact on human health, night environments, and the evolving challenges brought on by LEDs. Larry offers an insider’s perspective on optical engineering and shares groundbreaking insights into creating illumination that's effective and people-friendly. 💡✨ Perfect for professionals in lighting, design, sustainability, or anyone curious about how light shapes our world. 

Connect with Larry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-b-6117b67

Highlights from this episode:
 - Dark Sky Week!
 - Hospital Design
 - Migration Season
 - Policy Engagement

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In a thought-provoking episode of Restoring Darkness, Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Dr. Amardeep Dugar rethink lighting design, challenging outdated metrics and advocating for life-centric lighting—an approach that considers the broader ecological impact of artificial light. 

🌍 Key Takeaways: 

• Outdated Efficiency Metrics – The industry’s continued reliance on lumens per watt is hindering progress in sustainable lighting design. 
• Beyond Human-Centric Lighting – Dr. Dugar highlights that lighting decisions should take into account all life forms, not just human needs. 
• Darkness as a Resource – Instead of treating darkness as an absence, it should be recognized as an essential environmental necessity for biological and ecological balance. 
• Cultural Perspectives – Ancient civilizations revered darkness, but modern society has vilified it—it's time to shift the narrative. 
• Advocacy for Change – Lighting designers and professionals have a responsibility to redefine lighting standards that preserve natural darkness rather than disrupt it. 

🔥 It’s time to move beyond “brighter is better” and embrace sustainable, thoughtful lighting that respects all species. What’s your take on life-centric lighting? Let’s spark the conversation! 🚀 #LightingDesign #DarknessMatters #SustainableLighting #RestoringDarkness 

Connect with Dr. Dugar: 

Facebook - @lightingrnd / Amardeep Dugar 

Instagram - @lightingrnd / @amardeeppm 

 Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting Company www.TeslaInductionLightingCompany.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - 3-Way Conflicts
 - Alignments
 - Dark Sky Week
 - Lawsuits

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Michael Colligan, Mark Baker, and Scott Wachter unpack the hidden dangers of light pollution, from LED-induced migraines to its role in societal chaos. They expose how the lighting industry’s shift from bulbs to LEDs dodged accountability, while personal responsibility narratives shield systemic failures. With the NHTSA banning flashing LED vehicle lights and lawsuits looming, the trio challenges the myth that brighter nights mean safer streets, revealing a world where light might just be the spark for unrest—and a call for industry reckoning grows louder.

Key Takeaways

1. Health Hazards Emerge: LEDs are linked to migraines, seizures, and chronic issues like cancer and sleep loss, a stark shift from the industry’s early focus on dark sky preservation.
2. Systemic vs. Personal: The narrative of “turn off your phone” dodges broader accountability—lighting firms, regulators, and utilities push personal fixes over systemic solutions, burdening the sensitive.
3. Industry Accountability: Extended producer responsibility could force manufacturers, distributors, and installers to curb light pollution, with legal parallels to glyphosate lawsuits targeting firms like Acuity Brands.
4. Safety Myth Debunked: Bright lights don’t deter crime universally—car break-ins and porch piracy thrive under illumination—while 5000K LEDs may escalate tension in riots, not calm it.
5. Energy Efficiency Fallacy: LED mandates prioritize lumens-per-watt over total energy use or human comfort, leaving utilities off the hook and society over-lit without real gains.

Highlights from this episode:

• New Metric
• Apps
• Bird Safety
• Millinery

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Scott Wachter takes a break, from talking about light pollution to explain why the 2003 Sunrise TV anime, Planetes, informs his coverage of space junk on the Darkness News Update.

This review episode is sponsored by Hobbylink Japan

Highlights from this episode:

• Heart Health
• Let’s Talk About Sleep
• Migrations
• Trending Topics

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Nadine brings us a completely different perspective on the light pollution issue. We in the peaceful, prosperous parts of the world debate how to deal with light pollution, what color temperatures to use, and when to turn it off. There are parts of the world where light is scarce and whether it is 2200k or 5600k, it doesn’t matter. Some people just need light for survival. When missiles are landing and you need to get away from the window, you need to see where to dive on the floor. Nadine has experience in a place where light pollution isn’t on the radar. Nadine Baalbaki, holder of a Master’s Degree in Architecture, commenced her journey in lighting design two decades ago at Hilights, an esteemed lighting design firm in Lebanon renowned for shaping iconic projects across Lebanon and the GCC region. In 2013, she transitioned to Viabizzuno's Dubai office, assuming leadership of the design team and integrating light and architecture to create immersive environments. Amidst the pandemic's challenges, Nadine founded Light the Detail, a social media platform dedicated to raising awareness about lighting and its profound impact on mental and physical well-being. Today, Light The Detail stands as an independent lighting design practice boasting a diverse portfolio spanning commercial, office, landscape, restaurant, and hospitality projects, with a particular focus on high-end residential spaces. Nadine was guest speaker at Light+Intelligent Building Middle East, and took part in several lighting workshops in Dubai. She recently joined The Lighting Police as a core team member, driven by a mission to highlight the significance of proper lighting. Beyond her professional endeavors, Nadine is a mother of two teenagers, constantly seeking the right balance between family and work. Her personal escape? The 3S recipe—Sun, Sand, and Sea—her go-to mental detox. Through her journey in lighting design, Nadine has learned to discern and prioritize what truly matters, shedding light on the essential and finding beauty amidst the shadows.

Connect with Nadine: linkedin.com/in/nadine-baalbaki-b43ba39a

When’s the last time you spoke at the U.N.? Well, 15 year old Rushil Kukreja has done it. This smart kid is taking action on light pollution. His website, princia.org, is dedicated to “combatting light pollution and preserving the natural beauty of our night skies.” As part of a science fair project, Rushil invented a window that will turn opaque when it senses more light inside the building than outside. If you can’t help fight light pollution, get out of Rushil’s way.

Rushil Kukreja is a junior at TJHSST and the Founder and President of Princia, the only student-run nonprofit dedicated to solving light pollution, leading over 250 advocates across six continents. He has spoken at the United Nations General Assembly, earned a grant from Cornell University, and is working with lawmakers in 8 states, advocating for policy changes to mitigate light pollution’s environmental and health impacts. As an astrophysics researcher and aerospace innovator, Rushil combines scientific expertise with advocacy to drive sustainable lighting solutions worldwide.

Highlights from this episode:

• Road Trips
• Low Orbit
• Parks
• Highways

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Do we have a right to night? Dana thinks so. We also have a right to health and there is more and more evidence that light at night can be detrimental to our health, and to the environment. Dana applies her legal expertise to her books, articles, essays, and speaking engagements to change people's ideas around the environment and light pollution. Dana Zartner is a teacher, lawyer and writer whose work centers on the use of international, and comparative law as tools for social justice advocacy with an emphasis on environmental justice, the right to a healthy environment, Indigenous rights, sustainable development, and the rights of Nature. A professor at the University of San Francisco, she has published numerous articles and essays on these topics, including the recent "The Right to the Night: New Legal Advocacy Strategies to Address Terrestrial Light Pollution" in Environs. She also has a book coming out with Island Press on March 4, 2025 entitled Standing for Nature: Legal Strategies for Environmental Justice, which examines existing rights of Nature laws around the world with an eye to cresting legal advocacy strategies for future endeavors. In addition to her academic work, Dana has served as an accredited representative at various UN meetings, including the Committee on Women’s Rights in New York and the Expert Mechanisms on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva. She has also done pro bono work with the One Million Tree campaign in Cambodia and in support of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band's efforts to protect their traditional lands in Santa Clara County. Outside of her day job, Dana enjoys the natural beauty of Northern California, writes travel essays with an environmental theme, plays with her cats, and is working on a novel.

Connect with Dana: linkedin.com/in/dana-zartner-5a112b102

https://www.facebook.com/dana.zartner

https://www.instagram.com/dana.zartner/
BlueSky: dazart5.bsky.social
Substack: Roaming Wild
Check out Dana's book, Standing for Nature: Legal Strategies for Environmental Justice, with Fabian Cardenas and Mohammad Golam Sarwar (Island Press) https://islandpress.org/books/standing-nature#description
Articles: The Right to the Night: New Legal Advocacy Strategies to Address Terrestrial Light Pollution, Environs: Environmental Law and Policy Journal (2024) The Tangled Web We Weave: Exploring Cambodia through the story of a spider ... a really big spider, Medium (March 26, 2024) Big Oil's day in court is coming - and it's long overdue, The Hill (October 11, 2023) Watching Whanganui and the Lessons of Lake Erie: Effective Realization of Rights of Nature Law, Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (2021) Justice for Juristac: Using International and Comparative Law to Protect Indigenous Lands, Santa Clara Journal of International Law (2020)

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org 

The Bay Bridge in San Francisco got new lights–high Kelvin, high bright LED lights–lighting up the water all around it. You know we have had many guests on this podcast that have established the harm that bright, high kelvin, blue-rich light causes on humans and the environment. Has no one from this project watched The Restoring Darkness Podcast?

Michael Colligan owns a lighting distribution business in Toronto Canada. He is also the co-host, creator and executive producer of the Get a Grip on Lighting Podcast (getagriponlighting.com), and the Restoring Darkness Podcast (restoringdarkness.com), and the co-creator and executive producer of the Lighting Controls Podcast (lightingcontrolspodcast.com).

Connect with Michael: linkedin.com/in/michael-colligan-64380016

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

Highlights from this episode:

• Manipulating a Groundhog’s Day
• Weight Loss
• Interpreting of ALAN
• Getting Down Under the Sea

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

They say, “You can’t fight city hall.” Well, young David Calhoun is. In the small town of Vernonia Oregon, David is on a quest to reduce light pollution in and around the town. His focus so far has been on the main street, where they have switched to 5000K LED’s. Even from his home in the woods 3 miles out of town he can see the sky glow growing. Once David becomes a state senator, which Michael Colligan is sure will happen one day, he can take the fight state-wide and save ALL of Oregon from Light Pollution!

Michael Calhoun is an environmental activist from Vernonia Oregon. He currently is Board Chair of the Columbia Soil & Water Conservation District.

Sasha is back and she’s fightin’ mad! She’s still battling the refractive eye surgery industry, and because of the damage her eyes experienced from that, LED street lights are a problem for her. So now she is battling her local council to fix the terrible LED street lighting in her borough–not just for her, but for everyone who is negatively affected.

Sasha’s eyes were ruined by laser surgery in 2011, and she launched My Beautiful Eyes Foundation in January 2012.

Since then, as a patient advocate, she has advised and represented thousands of people, the majority like her, irreparably damaged by refractive eye surgery, laser and lens.

Sasha has worked closely with John McDonnell MP, actively campaigning for government regulation of the UK refractive surgery industry, doing her utmost to publicise the serious risks of these unnecessary and frequently debilitating operations, and to expose the corruption within the industry - at every level.

Connect with Sasha:
http://linkedin.com/in/sasha-rodoy-35b12596 facebook.com/SashaRodoyMBEF
twitter.com/MBEFCampaign
http://www.mybeautifuleyes.co.uk/

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

Highlights from this episode:
 - Lucky 13 State Parks in CO
 - Maritime Issues
 - Street Lighting Across Europe
 - A Bigger Trump Sign

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Philip was recently on Get a Grip on Lighting, Episode 381, (getagriponlighting.com/episode-381-induction-dont-call-it-a-comeback-philip-gotthelf), making him one of our few cross-over guests. His company, Tesla Induction Lighting makes Dark Sky compliant induction light fixtures and lamps. That means, no flicker, little glare, recoverable mercury, and long-lasting bulbs. If you want the turtles to head out to the sea instead of up to the road, Philip claims his bulbs are the only proven white light fixtures that will not distract them. Michael asks, “Does the lighting industry have any idea what it's doing?” Philip answers him directly… Philip Gotthelf is a world renowned authority on energy markets and technologies. His expertise dates back to the original formation of energy futures markets in the 1970s where he worked directly with the New York Mercantile Exchange to popularize their crude oil and #2 heating oil contracts. In response to the first Earth Day on April 22nd, 1970, Philip Gotthelf became a crusader against the “Five Ps;” the pollution targets of 1) air, 2) water, 3) soil, 4) light, and 5) noise. In 1982, he revived Nikola Tesla’s magnetic induction light (MIL) to achieve energy efficiency and longevity while reducing light pollution and protecting soil and water from dispersed mercury contained in fluorescent bulbs. In 2007, he created a line of modernized MIL under Ultra-Tech Lighting™ which is now operating as Tesla Induction Lighting Co. in deference to Nikola Tesla who invented the technology. His design objectives included minimizing glare and light pollution to achieve Dark Sky compliance without sacrificing visual acuity, creating quiet drivers (ballasts) to address noise pollution such as the 20,000 cycle harmonic that can disturb bats and canines, encapsulating mercury to render it environmentally inert, eliminating high-frequency flicker to eliminate dangers of strobe migraines or even epilepsy, and developing precise spectral tuning to provide the correct wavelengths for specific applications. Tesla Induction Lighting has the only proven “white light” fixture that does not distract sea turtles like the Green and Loggerhead. His Snow-Bright™ brand has been approved as Dark Sky compliant by the Grand Teton Environmental Commission and the University of Wyoming infrared observatory. Philip Gotthelf has been an active environmentalist for more than half a century. 

Highlights from this episode:

• Made in the Shade
• Threats to Chilean Observatories
• Fossil Fuels
• Mending Fences

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources are available at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Michael identifies five of the seven deadly sins—gluttony, greed, pride, wrath, and sloth—as fundamental causes behind the growing light pollution epidemic. Gluttony manifests in our excessive and often wasteful use of electric light at night, far beyond what is necessary. Greed drives industries to prioritize profit over sustainable practices, accelerating the adoption of LED lighting and using utility ratepayers and driving up the cost of electricity. Pride fuels the desire to showcase power, wealth, or status through grand, illuminated displays, often without consideration for their consequences. Wrath is reflected in the aggressive rejection of criticism or calls for restraint, with some viewing efforts to reduce light pollution as an attack on the industry. Finally, sloth plays a role in our collective unwillingness to change habits or adopt more thoughtful lighting practices, even when the tools and knowledge to make better choices are readily available. This combination of human tendencies has led to a world where electric light dominates the night, often at great cost to ecosystems, human health, and the beauty of the natural world. 

Highlights from this episode:

• Worldwide Campaigns
• NSF Grants
• Meta Studies
• Soft Lights Contra Connecticut

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

This is one of the more mind-blowing episodes we’ve recorded. So much we hadn’t heard about before. Light pollution at night suppresses melatonin and can lead to cancer and the lighting industry deep state tried to intimidate and silence Dr Motta in 2016. That’s just the tip of the information iceberg that Dr. Motta reveals. Blue light is great during the day, but stay away from 469 - 489 nanometers at night. Dr. Motta had been in practice at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Massachusetts, since 1983, recently retiring in 2022. He is a graduate of Boston College, with a BS in physics and biology, and of Tufts Medical School. He is board certified in Internal medicine and Cardiology, and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. He is an associate professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Motta has long been active in organized medicine, both in the American Medical Association (AMA) and in the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), holding a number of posts through the years. He is a past President of the MMS. He was elected and served 8 years on the AMA council of Science and Public Health, and then was elected to the Board of Trustees of the AMA in 2018, recently completing his term. In May of 2023 at its annual meeting, the MMS awarded Dr Motta its highest honor, the “Award for Distinguished Service.” Dr Motta also has a lifelong interest in astronomy, and has hand built a number of telescopes and observatories through the years to do astronomical research, including his entirely homemade 32 inch F6 relay telescope located in Gloucester, MA. He has been awarded several national awards in astronomy, including the Las Cumbras award from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 2003, and also the Walter Scott Houston award from the northeast section of the Astronomical League, and in 2017 the Henry Olcott Award from the American Association of Variable star Observers (AAVSO). He has served as a president of the ATM’s of Boston, and has served as a council member of the AAVSO, and is a past president as well. He has also served on the Board of the IDA. He has worked on light pollution issues, and published several white papers on LP as a member of the AMA council of science and public health. He served on a UN committee (COPUOS) representing the AMA on light pollution for a worldwide effort to control LP and satellite proliferation. Finally, several years ago the International Astronomical Union awarded Dr Motta an asteroid in part for his work on light pollution as well as amateur research, asteroid 133537MarioMotta.