Erik, One key point that I did not hear in the broadcast was the American Medical Association's recent resolution asserting a possible increased risk for cancer and living in light polluted environments. If hypothesis is right - that changes the whole ballgame. - Kurt P.S. - My July 14 post here on that topic with supporting citations ============= I don't recall if Patrick covered this in the news, but last month the American Medical Association passed a resolution "Advocating and Support for Light Pollution Control Efforts and Glare Reduction for Both Public Safety and Energy Savings". The pertinent medical and safety justifications for the AMA's position is quoted below. (The footnotes do not appear to match up with their propositions, but citations to the all supporting evidence seems to be there. See the link to the full resolution.) With a "lead-stream" group like the AMA taking a stand, tt's a good sign on the LP issue front. Clear skies - Kurt U.S. Physicians Join Light-Pollution Fight http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/48814012.html AMA Resolution 2009-516 http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/475/refcome.pdf "Whereas, Streetlight glare causes decreased nighttime visibility by pupil constriction, and thus leads to diminished nighttime visibility and creates a safety hazard 1,2,3,4,5,6,7; and Whereas, Many older citizens are significantly affected by glare as the eye ages, leading to unsafe driving conditionsn 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15; and . . . . Whereas, Light trespass has been implicated in disruption of the human and animal circadian rhythm, and strongly suspected as an etiology of suppressed melatonin production, depressed immune systems, and increase in cancer rates such as breast cancers 16,17,18,19,20,21,22; . . ." =============