Going Green
Air. Water. Soil. Noise. We hear about pollution in these areas, but light pollution—the excessive or poor use of artificial outdoor light at night—also presents problems. It disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife, contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere, disrupts human sleep, and obscures the stars. With the help of a special protein in their eyes, migrating birds can “see” the magnetic pull of the earth and use the moon and stars to guide their way. Excess light more commonly found in urban areas throws them off course, exhausts them, and can cause them to crash into structures.
To help flocks migrate, extinguish unnecessary overnight lighting from late August through mid-November and mid-March through early June. Make sure your exterior light fixtures are well-shielded and not overly bright and turn off upward-directed sign lighting. Select warm LED bulbs that are under a 3,000 Kelvin rating. During migration seasons, draw blinds or curtains to reduce light spill that contributes to sky glow.
Even when it’s not the time of year the Vaux Swifts come through our neighborhood on their migratory path, taking steps to reduce light pollution will still benefit other species and wildlife.
For more information visit darksky.org and audubonportland.org/our-work/protect/habitat-and-wildlife/urban/reducing-wildlife-hazards/bird-safe-building/lights-out.
Liz Erickson has lived in the neighborhood with her husband and two children since 2009. Growing up in Beaverton, she remembers visiting grandparents on NE 42nd and walking to Rose’s Ice Cream for a scoop of butter brickle. Fun facts: she’s visited 46 states, 46 countries, is a Master Recycler volunteer with the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, and served in the Peace Corps in Morocco.