Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1139344
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 JULY 2019 INTERVIEW When we talk about pollution, 'light' may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Why is light also considered a pollutant? What are its effects on the environment... and why is it such an issue here in Malta? Light pollution, as an issue in general, is detrimental not just to nature, but also to human beings. In Malta, however, it affects nature more than in other places: not just because we're small, but also because the island is densely populat- ed and heavily built-up. When you look at it as a national biodiversity issue, light pollu- tion is more of a problem here than elsewhere because there are very few areas in Malta and Gozo where light pollu- tion is not present. And if you look closer – if you zoom into particular areas – you will re- alise that… OK, where there is a high density of buildings, the light pollution will obviously be much higher. Industrial estates, the ports, etc., are all massively illuminated. High- rise also increases light pollu- tion levels drastically. But then, you also see small pockets where you'd think there'd be no light pollution, as there are no nearby build- ings. But the issue with light is – as we all learnt at school – that it travels fast; it radiates in all directions; it reflects; and the main effect of light pollution is the glare, which is visible for miles. Can you give a practical example of what effect this has on bird life in those areas? Let's take Xlendi in Gozo. It is one of the main nesting sites for Shearwaters; and when Shearwaters leave their nest at night, they look at the horizon to see where they want to go. Ever since they hatched from an egg, they would have been looking through a hole in the cliff-face, and seeing only the horizon. But because there is now so much light glare, they will be unsure where to go. Often, they get attracted by the light: so they fly inland, in- stead of out to sea. And once they land, they'll be stranded, because they can't fly again. Shearwaters are equipped to jump off ledges, not to take off from the ground. Having said this, we recently met the engineers working with the Gozo Ministry on the new Xlendi regeneration pro- ject. We discussed the issue, and they agreed to install light- ing which effectively reduces light pollution to practically zero. The tenders were issued for a type of lighting which is always directed downwards; with a cut-off system, using motion detection censors to only illuminate when there is movement nearby, etc. However, on the Xlendi promenade today, there are still the old massive globe bulbs. Their light is not di- rected where it is needed: i.e., downwards on the pavement. It is dispersed everywhere. And that is what is causing those Shearwaters to fly in- land. Hopefully, this will now be addressed by the regenera- tion project… The same cannot be said for Dwejra, however. Why is this area, in particular, so important when it comes to light pollution issues? Dwejra is one of the few re- maining areas – probably the only area in Malta and Gozo – where you can actually say there is, at present, almost no light pollution at all. Which al- so means that, if you increase the existing light by just a tiny bit – even just one light-bulb – it is going to have a massive effect. And this is why there was such an uproar. Because Dwejra is known for that. It is, in fact, a World Heritage Site purely because of its darkness. It is possibly the only place where you can get a very good view of the night sky. That makes it vitally important for astronomers… but also for the general public: people who want to go there to relax un- der the stars at night. And when people go there… they are amazed. You almost don't get to see a starry sky an- ywhere else in Malta; in Dwe- jra, when people see the night sky for the first time, they al- most can't believe their eyes. All that would be at risk, with even a small increase to light pollution in the area. It would also directly affect biodiver- sity: mainly, the Shearwater colonies in the area, but also other living organisms… like insects. Insects are heavily af- fected by light pollution. And what are insects? They are a vital part of the food-chain. If we reduce or eliminate in- sects, we will have a problem. Other organisms depend on them as a food source; and animals higher up the chain depend on those organisms for food, too. Some insects are also pollinators; they are nec- essary for plants to propagate. We always have to keep in mind that nature is a chain. Human beings are part of that chain, too. If we carry on messing things up, we will cre- ate problems for everything, including ourselves. For in- stance, there are clear indica- tions of a correlation between light pollution, and health. So this is not just an issue of na- ture…. Before turning to the Dwejra permit itself… what can (or is being) done to reduce light pollution generally in Malta? Is there any sort of national policy on the subject? We are having ongoing dis- cussions with Transport Mal- ta, Infrastructure Malta, En- emalta, etc., to make sure they understand that, even if there is a national policy on lighting in Malta, we need to be more sensitive. And you don't need extra money to change things; there is no significant cost difference between stand- ard and non-reflective light- ing systems. Nor do you lose the effect of lighting: you will still have the light you need: but only where and when you need it… Earlier you mentioned 'motion detection sensors', though. I don't understand much about lighting, but that does sound expensive…. It is probably the only thing that comes at an additional cost, yes. But then you have to consider the energy savings of having lights lit only when there are people nearby. The savings balance out the initial expense. Ultimately, though, the important thing is that we understand that – while light is necessary, for safety and other reasons – we should always go with the amount of light that is needed… and not overdo it. Why, for instance, do we have to have our bas- tions lit up with white and blue light? Why not with yel- low light, that emits less glare? And there are many areas where light is similarly over- done… The Planning Appeals Tribunal's decision to greenlight a restaurant extension in Dwejra has infuriated environmentalists (and astronomers) concerned with light pollution. Birdlife CEO MARK SULTANA explains why light pollution is such a serious issue, affecting wildlife and humans alike Let there be darkness PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BIANCHI Raphael Vassallo Raphael Vassallo rvassallo@mediatoday.com.mt