SELENE News

NYS Assembly passes A7406

2008-05-12T22:01:39+00:00

The NYS Assembly passed A7406, "An act to amend the public health law, in relation to research relating to the health effects of artificial night light." The purpose of this bill is simply to authorize the State Health Department to "engage in and/or support research into the health impacts of artificial night light." The bill does not require such research and therefore has no cost impacts, so there is really no reason it should not be enacted.

In view of the recently reported Israeli research showing greatly elevated incidence of breast cancer among women living in locations with the brightest nighttime lighting, this is an issue that the Legislature really needs to consider.

The matching bill, S7305, has been introduced into the Senate. Please read more to learn how you can help get this bill enacted into law.

Cities at Night: The View from Space

2008-04-23T00:06:33+00:00

Nothing like taking the high ground to see just
how bad light pollution is for most urban areas
across the globe.

Pretty to look at, but deadly to natural beauty.

How Wes Lockwood Saved the Universe

2008-04-23T00:08:08+00:00

Online article about astronomer Wes Lockwood and his
fight to save the night skies over Flagstaff, Arizona,
written by David S. F. Portree and placed online at
his blog, Altair VI.

The La Palma Declaration for Dark Skies

2008-04-24T14:02:59+00:00

The secretary general attend a meeting of the Starlight initiative, supported by the Canary islands Government, on La Palma from 19 - 21 April.

This meeting was particularly interesting in terms of the novelty of the subject matter, bring together Astrophysicists and nature conservations, and examining the role of clear night skies from the perspective of culture, science and nature conservation.

Earth Hour - March 29, 2008

2008-03-29T13:45:50+00:00

People in NYS and around the globe are encouraged to support "Earth Hour" by turning off all your lights, including outdoor lights, tonight between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. Join the movement, conserve electricity and help save the environment. Turn out your lights tonight.

For more info, visit www.earthhour.org/

Senate majority narrows to 32-30

2008-02-27T08:58:14+00:00

Darrel J. Aubertine (D) has defeated Will Barclay (R) in a special election for the 48th Senate District. With this victory, the Republican majority in the State Senate is now just two seats over the Democrats. Click Read More for further information and links.

Washington Post: Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer

2008-02-25T09:08:55+00:00

According to a story by Rick Weiss in the Feb 20th issue of the Washington Post, a new study supports previous findings that exposure to light at night is a risk factor for breast cancer.

NYS DEC Launches Conservationist for Kids

2008-01-07T08:25:01+00:00

The members of SELENE-NY applaud the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation and the editorial staff of The Conservationist for initiating the publication of The Conservationist for Kids (C4K). This is exactly the kind of outreach that will spark the interest of young New Yorkers in becoming more engaged in the outdoors. In addition, it will encourage them to value the preservation of the natural world as they grow into adulthood.

2009 will be the International Year of Astronomy

2008-01-03T08:39:20+00:00

The United Nations has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will celebrate the first astronomical use of the telescope by Galileo - a momentous event that initiated 400 years of astronomical discoveries and triggered a scientific revolution which profoundly affected our worldview.

Light Pollution article in Anton News Papers

2007-12-04T11:56:06+00:00

An article about light pollution and SELENE Member Susan Harder's efforts appeared in the Great Neck Record this week and perhaps a few other Anton News Papers in Nassau County. Click the "Read More" link below for a link to this article online.