Czech Republic Enacts World's First National Light Pollution Law

Known as the "Protection of the Atmosphere Act," the bill passed both houses of parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) and was signed into law by President Vaclav Havel on February 27, 2002. It takes effect June 1, 2002, and addresses light and other kinds of air pollution.

This news was announced Monday at the annual conference of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in Tucson, Arizona. The group, which has grown to more than 4,000 members in 69 countries across the globe since 1988, works to combat light pollution to preserve and protect the nocturnal environment.

Dr. David L. Crawford, astronomer and volunteer executive director of the IDA, views the Czech Republic legislation as "a great leap forward" in combating light pollution around the globe. "We applaud the Czechs and are committed to helping other governments enact similar legislation," Crawford said. "Fully shielded light fixtures not only help preserve the beauty of the starry sky, but they also illuminate more efficiently and allow people to see better at night."

The new law defines "light pollution" as "every form of illumination by artificial light which is dispersed outside the areas it is dedicated to, particularly if directed above the level of the horizon." Under the law, Czech Republic citizens and organizations are obligated to "take measures to prevent the occurrence of light pollution of the air."