Dalla ML di CieloBuio Ogni tanto una buona, anzi ottima, notizia.
Da Tucson, durante il congresso annuale dell’IDA, ci giunge le notizia che la Repubblica Ceca è la prima nazione ad avere una legge contro l’inquinamento luminoso valida su tutto il territorio nazionale!
Come vedete dall’annuncio la legge si ispira alla nostra legge lombarda, ritenuta dai Cechi come la migliore a livello mondiale.
Guardandoci un pò in giro, quasi ovunque dove sono in vigore leggi contro l’inquinamento luminoso il limite imposto é lo zero (fully shelded o full cut-off) sopra l’orizzonte.
Chi voglia complimentarsi con i cechi può farlo scrivendo a Jenik Hollan, il padre della legge ceca.
Cieli Bui,
Fabio Falchi
All’e-mail seguiva il comunicato rilasciato dall’IDA:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International Dark-Sky Association
Press Release, March 18, 2002
Ted Schaar, Volunteer Writer
Summary: New Czech Republic national law prohibits light pollution.
TUCSON, ARIZONA–MARCH 18, 2002–The Czech Republic recently became the first country to enact national legislation with provisions aimed
at eliminating light pollution. This new was announced today at the annual confernce of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in Tucson,
Arizona.
Known as the “Protection of the Atmosphere Act,” the bill passed both houses of parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) and was signed into law by President Vaclav Havel on February 27, 2002. It takes effect June 1, 2002, and addresses light and other kinds of air
pollution.
The law defines “light pollution” as “every form of illumination by artificial light which is dispersed outside the areas it is dedicated to, particularly if directed above the level of the horizon.” Under the law, Czech Republic citizens and organizations are obligated to “take measures to prevent the occurrence of light pollution of the air.”
The landmark legislation closely resembles the “Lombardy Law,” which was enacted in the Lombardy region of Italy after 25,000 citizens
signed petitions demanding action against obtrusive outdoor lighting.
Key to compliance with the new Czech Republic law is the use of fully shielded light fixtures. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA defines these as “fixtures that emit no light above the
horizontal direction.” Citizens and organizations found in violation of the law’s anti-light pollution provisions will be subject to fines ranging from 500 to 150,000 Czech crowns.
Czech Republic astronomer Jenik Hollan, a member of the IDA, was instrumental in promoting and drafting the legislation. “Support was very good and no serious objections have appeared,” said Hollan, a resident of Brno who works at the Nicholas Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium. “Many of my fellow citizens are as concerned as I am about the glare created by poorly designed lighting; they’re happy action was taken.”
Pavel Suchan, of the Stefanik Observatory in Prague, and the Czech Astronomical Society also lobbied for the new legislation, which Hollan says is already paying off: “In downtown Brno, fully shielded fixtures are becoming the norm and the improvement is spectacular.”
Dr. David L. Crawford, astronomer and volunteer executive director of the IDA, views the Czech Republic legislation as “a great leap forward” in combating light pollution around the globe. “We applaud the Czechs and are committed to helping other governments enact similar legislation,” Crawford said. “Fully shielded light fixtures not only help preserve the beauty of the starry sky, but they also illuminate more efficiently and allow people to see better at night.”
* * *
Contacts:
Elizabeth Alvarez,
Associate Director,
International Dark-Sky Association )
3225 North First Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
520 293-3198
ida@darksky.org
Bob Gent
IDA European Liaison Officer
rlgent1@aol.com
Jenik Hollan (http://www.astro.cz/darksky)
Nicholas Copernicus Observatory and Planetarium
Kraví hora 2
Brno 616 00
Czech Republic
+420 (5) 41 32 12 87
hollan@ped.muni.cz
