2023-09-23 16:32:01
Par Hugues-Olivier Dumez
Published on 23 Sep 23 at 6:32 p.m. See my news Follow News Occitanie The event benefits in particular from the support of the French Office for Biodiversity and the Occitanie Region. (©Adobe Stock illustration)
Little known to the general public until a few years ago, light pollution is today considered to be a environmental problem leading.
A first
Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 September 2023, on Pyrenees National Park organizes – at the top of Pic du Midi de Bigorre – the first Congress of Starry Sky Reserves. This first Congress should bring together the many recognized players and pioneers in the fight against light pollution. More than a hundred people are expected.
“For the first time, the four International Starry Sky Reserves (RICE) of France have decided to join forces,” communicates the Pyrenees National Park. This is a “first on a European scale”. This “pooling” must be “a contribution and a source of inspiration” within the framework of public policies to reduce light pollution.
“At the European level, States are gradually taking stock of the phenomenon and its impacts,” underlines the Pyrenees National Park. “National plans and laws with ambitious objectives are becoming clearer. »
The first dark sky reserve in France and continental Europe
The first dark sky reserve in France and continental Europe was recognized in 2013 around the Pic du Midi and its Observatory. It has created a unique model of territorial action: 250 municipalities committed to reducing light pollution over an area of 3,000 km², co-managed by the Syndicat Mixte du Pic du Midi, the Pyrénées National Park and the Syndicat Départemental d’ Energy of the Hautes-Pyrénées.
In the decade that followed, three new reserves saw the light of day: the RICE des Cévennes in 2016, the RICE Alpes-Azur-Mercantour in 2019 and the RICE des Millevaches in 2022. Other projects are still emerging in the region national.
For 10 years, the means and solutions implemented have produced results within the International Starry Sky Reserve. Among the notable results, we include the creation of night lighting practices and techniques which resulted in “an 80 to 95% reduction in light pollution » and “a reduction of more than 50% of the power consumption linked to lighting in towns and villages on reserves.
Practical information :
First Congress of Starry Sky Reserves at Pic du Midi
September 27, 28 and 29, 2023.
The congress will be followed, Friday, from 5:30 p.m., at the foot of the Pic du Midi, in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, by “the Starry Sky Festival”, a free and general public event in the Salut valley.
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.
1695514932
#Pyrenees #congress #summit #Pic #Midi #addresses #problem