Summary – Only two posts are required for each of the four Discussion Topics. Citations are needed for the second post only in order to back up why your viewpoint (opinion) has changed or been strengthened. If replying to another student’s post, citations are still needed to explain why you agree or disagree with their position. This needs to be backed up by citing reliable sources rather than just giving your opinion.
Directions – Write at least one paragraph consisting of three to five sentences including an introduction to your topic idea, the facts that support your statement, and your conclusion based on facts. Note that two posts, your position statement and a follow-up response, are required for each topic.
After stating and explaining your initial thoughts in post 1, do some research using the suggested or other reputable* websites and articles. Then in post 2, discuss whether or not your original thoughts and ideas have changed based on your research or respond to another’s opinion in a threaded discussion. Be sure to cite your sources in post 2. Post 1 is just a statement expressing your initial thoughts, so no other sources are needed unless you just wish to include them.
Topic : Light pollution is not only a problem for astronomers; it also has been shown to have an adverse impact on human health and wildlife. Light pollution wastes energy but does little to increase safety.
For Post 1: Browse through the material posted by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) on their website, http://www.darksky.org/about-ida, and also read through the brochures posted at http://www.darksky.org/education/quick-reference-materials#Brochures.
For Post 2: See Dark Skies PowerPoint (I uploaded) and then Read through http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s968291.htm.
Check out other websites regarding the impact of light pollution on wildlife such as http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130720-night-dark-light-pollution-science-stars/ or https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/nights-are-getting-brighter-earth-paying-the-price-light-pollution-dark-skies/ or https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/07/these-fish-eggs-not-hatching-problem-light-pollution/.
The student answer that you need to reply on:
(From the readings, I gathered that light pollution can have adverse affects on human health such as breast cancer or disruption of circadian rhythm (the natural cycle of our bodies mentally, physically, and behaviorally in a 24 hour cycle) and can produce sky glow, glare, light clutter, decreased visibility during the night time, waste valuable energy, and light trespassing. I believe that this is a battle worth fighting for as ultimate cost and conservations of resources would be reserved and help society as a whole.
Since I grew up living in Chicago, I am no stranger to the light pollution of a massive city and light trespassing on neighbors whose houses were extremely close to our own and kept outside lights on during the night. As my bedroom was right next to this light, I definitely felt the adverse effects on my body physically and mentally with reduced performance in school due to lack of sleep. I remember always seeing how bright the night sky was in Chicago and now that I live in Tennessee, I realized how much of the starry night I was unable to see.
I think that the IDA does a great job of giving advice to fix some problems with light solutions, however they did not work in my case. In the case of light trespassing, the IDA recommended to have a chat with your neighbor about the problems that it causes. My family and I expressed how our neighbor’s bright light kept me up at night and how it was a waste of energy to which they replied they kept their light on in case their daughter came back home (though she was well into her 20’s and no longer lived with them and never came to visit). This being said, it is good advice and it never hurts to have these conversations!
I think that by implementing dimmers, and the use of lights that aim downwards, this can drastically reduce a lot of the light trespassing that can be a problem for very urban areas and a lot of issues for wildlife that can get confused by such bright lights during the nighttime. With this knowledge, hopefully new cities that are being built will do their best to implement energy saving and light pollution reducing lights).
For Both Posts: Discuss what light pollution is and whether or not this is a battle worth fighting. If you find it to be worthwhile, discuss the best way of implementing some of the ideas presented by the IDA. If not, suggest alternatives.
Reminder – two discussion posts are required for full credit.
