Think mountains look like a fun fair – NRK

This fall, NRK has put the spotlight on light pollution.

May you have noticed that it has gotten brighter around you? Energy efficient and energy efficient LEDs make lighting easier and cheaper than ever.

Light pollution is what we call light that is superfluous or unwanted. Such contamination can occur if the lights are installed or tilted incorrectly, or if they are turned on too much.

Although we humans like to feel around us, it is not only good for nature. Animals and insects are attracted to light and die.

In a case about Aarhus, the Danish city that reclaims the night, NRK solicited the opinion of the readers. Out of the nearly 200 emails, there was one thing in particular that people noticed:

Once a place of darkness and peace at night, Fjellheimen is now so brightly lit that it has become a nuisance to Norwegians who thrive in the mountains.

Do we Norwegians like to have the light on all the time?

Einar Grieg is one of the readers who has contacted about it.

– Now in December, it has become more and more common with light chains in cabins high in the mountains, even when there are no people there. Fjellheimen looks like an amusement park, he writes in an email.

This fall, he counted 12 exterior lights in an uncrowded cabin in Haugastøl, 1000 meters above sea level.

– Before, it was unthinkable and completely normal to turn off the cabin lights when there were no people.

For NRK, Grieg describes himself as a happy man who thrives in the mountains. You don’t want to point the finger, but you would like to contribute to a discussion.

– Façade lighting previously found in cities has now become more common in cabins. In recent years, it has exploded with light chains. You have to walk a good distance to see the starry sky.

Rene Koedooder from Peize in the Netherlands has a cabin in Norway and has realized that we Norwegians are happy to have the light on 24 hours a day.

– We think it is completely strange that most cabin people in Norway have their outside light on all the time. Winter, spring, fall or summer. Even when people are not in the cabin or sleeping. A very strange habit, Koedooder tells NRK.

He says that in Holland they grow up with the fact that you always have to turn off the light when leaving the room.

– Of course, this also applies to outdoor lighting, which is harmful to nature. Even inside normal houses, Norwegians have the lights on in every room, including the toilet, says Koedooder, who adds that they have Norwegian friends and speak from their own experience.

They like to see the starry sky, but experience that it is almost gone due to light pollution. He believes that the price of electricity is an important explanation for lighting habits.

– In Norway, the price of electricity is very low. In the Netherlands, the price is high. It’s a shame, because Norway is a nice country even in winter, when it’s dark.

He adds that the board in the booth field where they have a booth has discussed the matter and is seeing increased attention to this there. Some cabin residents are good too.

Wants regulation

The Secretary General of the Norwegian Tourism Association, Dag Terje Solvang, thinks it is interesting that NRK readers point to light pollution in mountains as a special problem.

He says this fits “very well with the impression we have at DNT.”

The head of DNT believes that the loss of the starry sky is more dramatic than we dare to think.

– Immanuel Kant said that the starry sky filled the soul with wonder. Great words for a simple boy from Finnskogen, but that’s the way it is for me too. The starry sky is an experience of nature that gives perspective and content to life.

Several of the NRK readers write in the emails that the use of light in the mountains should be regulated. Solvang also maintains that political action is needed.

But also that each of us assumes responsibility.

– Authorities can ensure mountain nature management that also addresses light pollution. Then we can better regulate the use of light. So all of us who own cabins must improve at turning off the lights. Leaving the exterior light on when you leave the cabin isn’t just money out the window, it can ruin the nature experience for all of us.

Current problem, says ministry

Secretary of State Heidi Nakken (H) from the Ministry of Local Government and Modernization tells NRK that this has not been a major problem so far.

But let them see that the development with larger cabin fields and more lighting in the cabins has made this more relevant.

She says they are working on a new leisure development guide that will be completed in the spring.

– It is a guide for municipalities on how they can promote the sustainable development of country houses and leisure buildings. There is light included. It is an important part of planning to pay attention to light as well.

– This has been a development over time. Have you slept an hour here?

– Things have developed here as in all other areas. A guide to light was published in 2012. A few years ago. In either case, a supervisor will update now.

You will not make claims through the law.

However, there are no plans to impose national requirements through laws or regulations. The Ministry believes that a guide is the solution.

– A guide is a clear recipe for how we want municipalities to plan. There will be clear recommendations on what is a sensible use of light.

– Do you trust that the municipalities have enough experience in this then?

– Municipalities are the planning authority in Norway. They are closer to problems. They know the local conditions. Then there are some rules about technicalities, so it’s not entirely “bonanza”.

– How much you know about this is different. Therefore, it is important to implement such a guide with a clear and good recipe for things. Both the state and county governors can be important and good guides and can help municipalities, Nakken says.