Turning the tide on light pollution at the Valuing Darkness Conference

March 2025

Senior Environmental Officer, Tristan Simpson, travelled to Melbourne in March for the Valuing Darkness Conference to discuss the importance of dark skies with over 200 experts and enthusiasts in lighting design, urban planning, public health and astronomy from across Australia.

White lights (such as LED streetlights) create light pollution that affects wildlife. From turtle hatchlings disoriented on the beach, to bees unable to communicate to their hive, light pollution is a serious threat to many species – including humans. 

Tristan presented a keynote speech about the methods DBCA’s NWSFTCP has explored to reduce light pollution and its impact on turtles across WA’s north-west coast. This includes the application of legislation and policy.His key message is simple: Everyone is a piece of the puzzle to reduce light pollution. This includes government agencies at national, state and local levels, industry, lighting designers, coastal residents and all of us concerned about dark skies. 

From the increased awareness and knowledge learned, to the networking with other stakeholders and building of partnerships to address this threat together, the symposium was valuable for everyone who attended and was a strong step forward to addressing the threat of light pollution in Australia. As a result, Tristan was invited to present again at the Lighting Council of Australia Symposium in May. There he presented to 80 representatives of the biggest companies in lighting manufacturing, design and supply who are now investigating ways to address light pollution Australia-wide. 

You can read more about the threat of light pollution to turtles here.