Laboratories to measure the energy efficiency of night artificial light in protected natural areas of Macaronesia

Details

Acronym: EElabs
Reference: MAC2/4.6d/238
Partners: Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA-Madeira), Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA-Azores)
Duration: 08/10/2019 – 31/12/2023
Budget: 1.573.837,18 €
Co-Financing: INTERREG Madeira-Azores-Canarias Territorial Cooperation Programme (MAC) 2014-2020. 2nd Call. Axis 4- Preserve and protect the environment and promote the efficiency of resources.

Project overview

Loss of darkness due to the increasing use of Artificial Night Light (ANL) has a dangerous, and sometimes unknown impact on natural ecosystems. In certain scenarios it is so weak that humans cannot detect it. Although, it has been proven that 30% of vertebrates and 60% of invertebrates – nocturnal and very sensitive to light – are threatened.

EELabs’ goal is to maximize the energy efficiency of new lighting technologies – mainly LEDs – while minimizing the effect of light pollution and sky brightness at the natural ecosystems of Macaronesia.

Specific objectives:

Specific objective 1: Implement Light Pollution Laboratories (LPL). They will be non-intrusive and located in Natural Protected Areas of the Macaronesia.
Specific objective 2: Create a minimum of four Light Pollution Experiments (LPE) with activities for research and dissemination.
Specific objective 3: Broaden sky protection legislation in the municipalities of Macaronesia where the LPLs will be installed.

Project beneficiaries:

  • Administrations: Councils where the LPL will be installed.
  • Nearby towns: Reduction of light pollution of municipalities and associated natural areas.
  • Scientific Community: Better sky quality for astronomical observations and for animals and plants habitats.