Goal 1
Deploy Light Pollution Laboratories (LPL). They will be non-intrusive, and located in protected natural areas of Macaronesia
Goal 2
Creation of a minimum of four Light Pollution Experiments (LPE) with research/outreach activities
Goal 3
To extend the sky protection legislation currently applied in the Macaronesian municipalities where the LPLs will be installed
Abstract
The loss of darkness due to the increased use of Artificial Night Light (ANL) has a dangerous, but sometimes neglected, impact on natural ecosystems. In certain scenarios this artificial light is too faint for humans to detect, but it has been shown that 30% of vertebrates and 60% of invertebrates - nocturnal and very sensitive to light - are threatened.
The aim of EELabs is to maximize the energy efficiency of new lighting technology -mainly LEDs- while minimizing its effect in the form of light pollution -sky glow- on natural ecosystems in Macaronesia. EELabs will propose activities to acquire deep knowledge of LED lighting and the natural ecosystems of Macaronesia, to achieve sustainable growth where the increase of the Anl, a consequence of economic development, does not compromise the natural spaces by an excessive increase in light pollution.
Geographical scope of the Project
Natura 2000
Network
Teide National Park
(Güímar, Tenerife). 102,9 km2, 30 fot. 2 con.
Corvo Island
(Azores). 17 km2, 20 fotómetros y 1 con.
Chinijo Archipelago
(Teguise, Lanzarote) 10 fot.
Betancuria Rural Park
(Fuerteventura) 10 fot.
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
(El Paso, La Palma). 46,9 km2, 25 fot. 1 con.
Nublo Rural Park
(Tejeda, Gran Canaria). 103,3 km2, 30 fot. 2 con.
Timanfaya National Park
(Lanzarote, Yaiza y Tinajo). 10 fot.
Frontera Rural Park
(Frontera y Valverde, El Hierro) 5 fot.
Graciosa
(Açores) 15 fot.
Madeira
Madeira Oriental (Santa Cruz, Machico e Santana) 100 km2, 30 fot. y 2 con.
Oceanic Routes
(Canary Islands and Cabo Verde-Madeira-Azores routes). 5 fot.
Garajonay National Park
(La Gomera). 10 fot
Ilhas Desertas
(Santa Cruz, Madeira) 5 fot.
Project Beneficiaries
Administrations
Public administrations of regions and municipalities where the LPL will be installed
Local Populations
Due to the reduction of light pollution in municipalities and associated natural areas
Scientific Community
Due to the improvement in the quality of the skies for astronomical observations and for the animal and plant habitat
Protecting our ecosystems
EELabs
Proposal for regional/autonomous regulations to protect the natural darkness of the Macaronesian skies.
Laboratory Network
To measure the Energy Efficiency of Artificial Night Light in natural protected areas of the Macaronesia
