Light pollution has become a pervasive and ugly consequence of our 24/7 society. Few of us can enjoy a star-spangled night sky any longer, thanks to the glowing pall caused by all the lights that line roadways, parking lots, and backyards. More ominously, a growing body of research finds that excessive light at night disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, sometimes dramatically. It can also inhibit the production of melatonin, a compound produced as we sleep—and only in darkness— that seems to play multiple roles in maintaining general human health. The situation has not been helped by the widespread rollout of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. Fortunately, the spread of light pollution can be halted and even reversed. Join us as Kelly Beatty discusses how we can safely light up our homes, businesses, and communities without wasting energy, disturbing our neighbors, or creating an unhealthy environment for humans and wildlife.

Kelly Beatty has been explaining the science and wonder of astronomy to the public since 1974, when he joined the staff of Sky & Telescope. He retired in 2018 after 43 years, but remains actively involved in many S&T articles, tours, and other projects. An award-winning writer and communicator, he holds a B.A. from the California Institute of Technology and a Master's degree in science journalism from Boston University. Kelly has been active in efforts to reduce light pollution for more than 30 years. He served for more than a decade on the Board of Directors for the International Dark-sky Association (darksky.org) and is now an officer with Dark Sky’s Massachusetts chapter.

This program is the seventh in the 2025-2026 LWV First Friday Forum series hosted by the League of Women Voters to promote awareness and understanding of public policy issues.

LexMedia will record the program. There will be time for Q&A after the program. For more information about the forum or other activities of the League, go to https://my.lwv.org/massachusetts/lexington/calendar. To see previous First Friday Forums, go to Past Events in the Calendar and search for "First Friday". 

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to the principles of self-government established in the Constitution of the United States. The League works to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. All League forums are free and open to the public. For more information about the League go to https://my.lwv.org/massachusetts/lexington.