NYC Reduces Light Pollution, Saves Energy with Efficient Lighting

The New York City skyline is a little dimmer as of late, a result of more energy-efficient lighting that saves money, reduces consumption and keeps light pollution to a minimum – at least, as minimal as it can be in such a large city. Office buildings, apartment towers and other structures in NYC are using motion sensors to ensure that unoccupied rooms aren’t being lit for no reason, and dimmers soften overhead lights that would otherwise burn bright all night.

From The New York Times:

Gone are the days when cheap electricity, primitive lighting technology and landlords’ desire to showcase their skyscrapers kept floor after floor of the city’s highest towers glowing into the night. Now, rising energy costs, conservationism, stricter building codes and sophisticated lighting systems have conspired to slowly, often imperceptibly, transform Manhattan’s venerable nightscape into one with a gentler glow.

Instead of tower after tower shining at all hours — the World Trade Center stayed aglow long after its occupants went home — the skyline is becoming a patchwork of sparsely sparkling buildings decorated with ornamentally lighted tops.

Unshielded traffic lights, neon signs and illuminated billboards once made NYC one of the most light-polluted cities in the country.  Though some people might mourn the loss of NYC’s formerly dazzling, glitzy display of city lights, this is a great development. Imagine how much electricity is being saved, especially compared to just a few years ago when everything was constantly ablaze!

Link [The New York Times]

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