DARKER SKY - Interreg North Sea Project

The PLAN-B Newsletter is out now! Check out our last findings and milestones to tackle light and noise pollution and contact with us if you want to share with us and our community your experience to get darker and quiter nights. You can also suscribe and be part of this community. Join us!

🔔 Good News 🔔 The first interactive map of European marine & freshwater habitats affected by both #LightPollution & #NoisePollution 🌊 💡 🔊 Led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal will to help manage the combined impacts of these pollutants to protect aquatic biodiversity 🌊 🏞️ 🦠 🐟 🐳 🐚 🌿 https://lnkd.in/eqzrQwHH

'The Dark Side of Light' on Dutch TV🌑 - Yesterday in the programme ‘Wat houdt ons tegen?’ ('What holds us back?') The Netherlands is one of the most brightly lit countries in the world. Billboards, government buildings and industrial areas often remain brightly lit at night. This not only consumes a lot of energy but also disrupts our sleep and throws nature's rhythm off balance. Energy-efficient LED lights were supposed to be the solution. But is that really the case? What is the impact of that blue glow on the environment? What holds us back from turning off the lights more often? Watch 'The Dark Side of Light' coverage in Dutch here: https://lnkd.in/eC4JYzRE. #darkersky #wearethenorthsea #NorthSeaRegion #interregnorthsea #natureprotection #darkersky

First results and new lighting at our Brest demonstrator sites! 🐦⬛ Preliminary results indicate the impact of the old lighting on biodiversity— birds like blackbirds and robins sang throughout night under the previous lighting conditions. This year, our partners at Laboratoire Géoarchitecture. Territoires, Urbanisation, Biodiversité, Environnement. and Brest Métropole conducted pre-measurements at Moulin Blanc beach and the St. Anne valley, monitoring light pollution and its effects on biodiversity. 🔦 Now new lighting is being installed! The updated system features lower placement and better direction, reducing unnecessary light dispersion. This change aims to minimize environmental impact while maintaining functionality. The constructions began on 12 November and will be finished by mid December at both sites. Next year, our team will conduct post-measurements to assess the improvements made by these changes. We’re eager to see how the new lighting benefits local biodiversity! 🎥 Local TV recently covered our work (activate English subtitles to translate): https://lnkd.in/e_3dzED2 🌍 Learn more about our monitoring methods: https://lnkd.in/d6zjxBa9 Université de Bretagne Occidentale / Interreg North Sea Programme yoann ROULET / Enora Morin / Saïg Potard / Glen DISSAUX / France 3 Bretagne #wearetheNorthSea #madewithinterreg #interreg

Laying the Groundwork: A Monitoring Framework for Light Pollution 👥 Combining the expertise of our partners, one of the main achievements in our first year was the creation of a comprehensive monitoring framework. Once developed into guidelines, it will help municipal practitioners—those who may not be experts in light pollution—understand and assess how artificial lighting affects their communities and local biodiversity. 💡🦇 The framework includes two key protocols: one for measuring and monitoring light levels and another for investigating the ecological effects on birds, bats, insects and marine life. Monitoring will take place before and after the light modifications are implemented at our demonstrator sites, helping us assess the impact of these changes on light pollution and biodiversity. 🔎 As we are approaching the end of 2024 most of our partners have completed their pre-measurement of the present light conditions and ecological effect measurements. Soon the light modifications at our demonstrator sites will start or finish. After completing the post-measurements next year, we aim to assess the impact of these changes on light pollution and biodiversity. Learn more about our monitoring methods: https://lnkd.in/dDjP7VD8 🌊 Interreg North Sea Programme

🌟 Hello Monday! Here's your quick fix on the solutions-driven projects from Interreg North Sea From reducing light pollution to climate adaptation and smarter urban living, Interreg North Sea projects are leading the way in creating impactful solutions for real-world challenges. Stay updated on how we're shaping a greener future! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eadV7eGc Here’s a snapshot of the latest updates for a few projects : 💡 🚢 DARKER SKY - Interreg North Sea Project is showing how environmentally friendly lighting can balance safety, sustainability, and reduced light pollution. At the NPorts harbour in Norddeich, the new lighting aims to meet legal and occupational safety requirements while reducing light emissions and environmental impact. Read more on the NPorts website: https://lnkd.in/drKkz49N 💧 DISCO | DIgital Solutions for Climate adaptatiOn : The project aims to simplify the use of digital technology for public organizations, boost innovation, and test new measures for faster climate adaptation. For example, in Malmö’s Sege Park, DISCO will pilot: A smart water meter with AI to monitor and analyse water use. Digital, interactive solutions to inspire and share sustainable aquaculture insights. 🏙️ 🌲 Cool Cities is tackling urban heat stress by mapping it and implementing climate-adaptive designs to create more resilient communities. The focus is on building a connected network of cooling cities that collaborate to reduce urban heat islands and improve the quality of life. 🤝 BRAVE - Building Regional Cleantech Ecosystems is advancing clean energy ecosystems by aligning policy, technology, and collaboration to scale innovative solutions. New to BRAVE? It's a partnership of cities and knowledge organizations building seven regional cleantech ecosystems across Europe, with €150m investment in the pipeline. 🌊 Connected River Project is creating sustainable solutions for waterways by prioritizing the needs of ecosystems and future generations. The Flow Forward Methodology, developed by partners, responds to rapid changes in shared waterways, emphasizing adaptability and resilience. The project has already reached its midterm 👉 Find out more on this mid-term event 2024 :https://lnkd.in/dncA8E_d 💡 What innovative solutions inspire you ? Tell us 😀 #wearetheNorthSea #madewithinterreg #SustainableFuture #ClimateAction #Innovation #Collaboration

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 We’re thrilled to share a groundbreaking milestone in the fight against #lightpollution! 🌍✨  Alejandro Sanchez de Miguel and his brilliant team (Jesús Gallego Maestro) in collaboration with Sam Morrell and Kevin Gaston from the University of Exeter have developed and released the 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐔-𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐩, developed using data from the #SDGSAT-1 Satellite. This innovative tool provides a detailed and precise view of light pollution across Europe, offering invaluable insights for researchers, policymakers, and environmentalists.  𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭? 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬: The #map aids in developing strategies to mitigate light pollution, protect #biodiversity, and promote #sustainable development.   𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: It complements the 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, aligning SDGSAT-1 data with astronaut-captured images from the #ISS, enhancing urban light pollution studies.   𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: By identifying LP’s effects on ecosystems, this research empowers smarter decisions for a more sustainable future.  𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: During the third anniversary of SDGSAT-1, Alejandro Sanchez de Miguel received a prestigious award from the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐂𝐁𝐀𝐒) for his outstanding contributions to satellite data applications advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝? Help us refine and expand this work! Join our #citizenscience activities via the 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘈𝘱𝘱: https://lostatnight.org/ 📍 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐩: Access the new Light Pollution Map here: https://lnkd.in/eQRfkrs7 🔗 Let us know your feedback, and stay connected as we work towards reclaiming the night for nature and future generations! 🌌  https://lnkd.in/eNE_FNQT #LightPollution #Sustainability #SDGSAT1 #Innovation #EnvironmentalScience Yana Yakushina DarkSky Travis Longcore LightingEurope AquaPLAN Annika Jägerbrand Colombe WARIN Fundación Ibercivis

Which lighting colour temperature do you prefer? 🌟 The "Walk of Light" was installed by our project partners Niedersachsen Ports GmbH & Co. KG at the Eastern Port of Norddeich, one of our demonstrator sites in Germany. Here, four LED lamps with colour temperatures ranging from 1800 Kelvin to 3000 Kelvin (K) were installed, allowing visitors to experience the differences firsthand. 💡In our upcoming lighting modifications, the standard 3000K lighting will be reduced to 2700K, a slightly warmer light that reduces blue light’s impact on nature. Shielded lamps and optimized angles will further minimize light scatter into the sky and water. 👥 The "Walk of Light" is a way to involve workers and visitors, fostering understanding and acceptance. People can share their opinon on their preferred light via an on-site QR code. This collaborative effort between NPorts, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park Authority and Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg highlights the importance of balancing safety, sustainability and social acceptance in reducing light pollution. Read more on the NPorts website: https://lnkd.in/drKkz49N 🌊 Interreg North Sea Programme

L'équipe DARKER SKY - Interreg North Sea Project du Laboratoire Géoarchitecture et de Brest Métropole était bien présente le week-end dernier au Village Climat Déclic pour parler de pollution lumineuse à la foule d'adultes et d'enfants venus aux Capucins à cette occasion ! L'impact de la lumière artificielle de nuit sur la biodiversité a été discuté et illustré par un jeu de plateau présentant les obstacles en milieu urbain que peut trouver sur son chemin une chauve-souris pour trouver ses proies. Une maquette de maison a également permis d'expliquer les bonnes habitudes à avoir chez soi pour ne pas déranger la faune nocturne : fermer ses volets, éteindre les lumières inutiles en extérieur, préférer les lumières extérieures avec des couleurs chaudes, etc. Le casque de réalité virtuelle avec une modélisation en 3D du bas de la rue de Siam à Brest de la Chaire Noz Breizh a complété ces explications en permettant de voir à travers les yeux d'une chauve-souris, d'une grenouille et d'un oiseau différents types d'éclairage de nuit. #WearetheNorthSea #Biodiversity #Lightpollution Interreg North Sea Programme / Université de Bretagne Occidentale

Visit our stand at Village Climat Déclic in Brest and join online for the round table ‘How to restore the night?'🌟 Join our partners from Laboratoire Géoarchitecture. Territoires, Urbanisation, Biodiversité, Environnement. and Brest Métropole on 16 November in Brest, learn about light pollution and engage in exciting games! On 17 November at 16:00, you can join online for the round table "How to restore the night?" (in French) streamed live from Brest with Sébastien Gallet, yoann ROULET and Saïg Potard - the link will follow soon! Learn more about the event and the full programme here: https://lnkd.in/d8USHWsD https://lnkd.in/d6niDM4X See you there!