Hesse is taking part in “Earth Night” to reduce light pollution

On Friday evening it will be darker than usual in some places in Hesse. From nightfall onwards, as part of “Earth Night”, people are asked to reduce or completely switch off artificial outdoor light throughout the night. The aim is to draw attention to increasing light pollution and wasted light.

Several cities are calling for people to switch off as many artificial light sources as possible - and are also taking part in the campaign themselves. In Kassel, the lighting of the Fridericianum, the Martinskirche and the Brüderkirche are switched off on Friday evening and the night of Saturday. In Darmstadt, the wedding tower on the Mathildenhöhe will not be illuminated and in Frankfurt, among other things, the Römer, the Paulskirche and the Main Bridge “Eiserner Steg” will remain dark.

Darkness is part of an intact environment

“Unlike the already established “Earth Hour”, “Earth Night” focuses on the negative effects of light pollution on living beings,” says the city of Kassel. “Light pollution is an often underestimated environmental problem,” emphasizes Darmstadt city councilor Michael Kolmer.

«Darkness is not a defect, but rather part of an intact environment. Many animals and plants depend on the natural sequence of day and night,” explained Tina Zapf-Rodríguez, head of the environmental department. “At the same time, it’s not about simply making Frankfurt darker. It's about using artificial lighting where we need it and leaving it out where nature and animals are unnecessarily burdened."

“Earth Night” was launched in 2020

“Earth Night” was launched in 2020 and takes place annually on the Friday in September that is closest to the night of the new moon. The campaign aims to draw attention to the fact that artificial light brightens the night sky. This has consequences for nature and people. It disrupts the day-night rhythm of animals, affects the orientation of nocturnal insects and can lead to sleep disorders in humans.

“Earth Hour” also takes place every May. The initiative, which was launched in 2007 by the environmental protection organization WWF, aims to draw public attention to climate protection. On the day of the action, people all over the world turn off their lights for one hour.