Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects • Hacker News Board

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#31

Post by masswerk » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:12 PM UTC

TheAdamAndChe wrote: post #6

blakesterz wrote: post #3

I always just assumed that there are few insects now because there are so many more insecticides in use, this is the first time I've heard of lights. There's not much explaination in this article, but here's one with some more: Nighttime Light Pollution May Be Cause of Insect Population Decline https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Nighttime_Light_Pollution... "An analysis of the effects of artificial light at night on…

It's a combination of factors. Insecticides, pollution, loss of habitat, light pollution(especially from daylight LEDs), global warming(throwing off reproduction timing), ubiquitous roadways and vehicles, flat surfaces(beetles get stuck on their back).

I think, compared to twenty years ago, the main factor is the higher color temperature of modern lighting systems. There are numerous studies on cold light attracting insects significantly more than the traditional incandescent light sources.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#32

Post by 42droids » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:12 PM UTC

rspoerri wrote: post #15

Do you remember the time when you had to clean your windshield after driving into holidays?

Yap, this is the saddest thing. After a month long road trip around Europe the windshield & front air vent were almost clean.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#33

Post by progre » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:13 PM UTC

astrea wrote: post #19

fortran77 wrote: post #4

There's technology now to put streetlamps on motion detectors. They can have them very dim until they're needed.

I feel like that would be nauseating for residents on heavily trafficked roads

Maybe there should't be residents near heavily trafficked roads at all.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#34

Post by jriot » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:14 PM UTC

thatguy0900 wrote: post #16

I actually was sitting outside a few nights ago and realized that there was no more fireflies, and I couldn't remember the last time I had seen one. I used to go out all the time during summer as a kid to catch them, they would light up whole fields. That was just like 15 years ago. Pretty sobering realization

My backyard in Louisiana has quite a few of them at night. I see probably 20 - 50 a night back there.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#35

Post by Dahoon » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:14 PM UTC

pointillistic wrote: post #11

thiago_fm wrote: post #10

I wonder how many centuries it might take for the US to start to care about insects or the environment like some European countries do with the recent regress in policies overall that isn't about ONLY increasing overall GDP in the US. And I say this even not considering Trump, which is a big menace. But democrat candidates in the US also don't care about the environment, not showing much promise. So do the Americans…

Some European countries, named here, only very recently cared more about insects than people.

How mature.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#36

Post by agentultra » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:15 PM UTC

This is such a great idea. I hope the insecticide regulations go far to restrict some of the worst offenders. Insects, arachnids, and all of our invertebrate, carapace flaunting friends are essential to our health and survival.

I hope my country will follow suit...

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#37

Post by LXanb » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:15 PM UTC

There are loads of foxes and bats in big cities in Germany already. There are tons of insects as well.

Humans are already not allowed to build anywhere because of environmental regulations (unless you are a corrupt politician) and to keep the rents high.

Germany is getting more and more ridiculous. People must use energy saving bulbs to increase the profit for Philips, but one can legally burn 100l of fuel per day in a car.

Noise laws are lagging behind but insects need to be protected.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#38

Post by burlesona » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:15 PM UTC

This seems like a great idea, and could also be a nice boon for those of us who like to see the stars. Light pollution is a personal frustration for me as I’ve always enjoyed stargazing but am rarely able to drive far enough out to see very much.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#39

Post by WC3w6pXxgGd » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:16 PM UTC

jriot wrote: post #34

thatguy0900 wrote: post #16

I actually was sitting outside a few nights ago and realized that there was no more fireflies, and I couldn't remember the last time I had seen one. I used to go out all the time during summer as a kid to catch them, they would light up whole fields. That was just like 15 years ago. Pretty sobering realization

My backyard in Louisiana has quite a few of them at night. I see probably 20 - 50 a night back there.

Do you like Louisiana? I've been looking for a warmer, Southern state to move to.

Re: Germany plans to dim lights at night to save insects

#40

Post by astrea » Thu, Aug 06, 2020, 3:17 PM UTC

progre wrote: post #33

astrea wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like that would be nauseating for residents on heavily trafficked roads

Maybe there should't be residents near heavily trafficked roads at all.

Then I would be kicked off my suburban street