COMMENTARY: Light pollution on our highways

It would not be in keeping with the “Nature Isle” image that we have been trying to project all these years to the rest of the world to artificially light up the deepest wilderness areas of the island by lighting up the entire length of our major highways. That would be to blur the distinction between the urban and the rural and to make Dominica less attractive as an eco-tourism destination. Careless communities can often forget that light pollution is every bit as unpleasant and harmful as any other kind of pollution such as noise, smell, smoke or industrial waste, and when you fill your wilderness spaces with unnecessary artificial lighting you are doing no more than polluting it with light. The darkness of the night is as necessary and as beautiful as the light of the day. Each has its place and usefulness in the scheme of nature.

Because that is what would happen if the government continues to put street lights along our major country highways. I recently drove to Portsmouth and noticed that the foundations were already laid to light up the whole of the E O Leblanc highway. The effect that would have can already be seen in the intrusive imposition on one’s view of the unrelieved line of white metal lamp posts that amount to an ugly scarification of the wilderness landscape.

In answer to my protest, an official of the Public Works Ministry claimed that this was “development”. But that is more like over- development of the sort that drives millions of people from the so- called “developed” countries in search of the simplicity that more natural environments provide and which is why overseas visitors would want to come  to a place like Dominica in the first place.

This sort of street lights should be restricted to populated areas such as our village and urban communities, many of which still need more of them or to specially dangerous parts of the highways where safety considerations make it absolutely necessary. Otherwise, general safety measures on the highways should be provided by adequate fluorescent markings along the edges and centre of the highways, by railings and proper signage etc that don’t have the disadvantage of compromising the landscape of the night or of reducing the special effect of the light imparted by stars and the moon.

Nor should we do anything which out of our limited knowledge can adversely affect the natural rhythm of the flora and fauna that have become adapted to the natural alternation of day and night. The night has its place as the day has and unless there is an imperative need to do otherwise we should respect the natural ecological order of things.

The bottom line is how can we live more in harmony with nature in such a way that we can increase the attractiveness of our wonderful island to those who are searching for relief from the overdevelopment of the so – called “developed” parts of the world and help strengthen our economy so that all – and I mean all – our people can eat. This will not happen by trying to imitate the very over-development from which many visitors to our shores are fleeing.

The government needs to think again on this one.

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39 Comments

  1. CIA Agent
    August 30, 2017

    This is an important topic for debate. As can be seen on political, public or private settings, we have been teaching our youth that winning a debate depends on posturing, profanity and shouting instead of eloquent fact.

    The future of Dominica belongs to the youth of today.

    Our education system should be invoking experiments to provide some evidence on the effect of constant artificial light on our flora and fauna. Only then will future Dominicans be able to effectively debate on the pros and cons of lighting up their country.

  2. Pointing out
    August 30, 2017

    If one really wanted to help the largest number of Dominicans, these lights should be put in all the dark tracks, alleys and roads inside some of the 60 villages of Dominica so that the villagers can see where they are going at night…

    But I suppose lining the “highway” looks like “development” to some. In any case, this is Dominica, and vines, cell failure and storm damage will come soon enough so its only a few years wonder. So be it.

  3. Claude Gervais
    August 30, 2017

    look about public procurements

    • Me
      August 31, 2017

      And look out for public excrement, especially in the dark!

  4. August 30, 2017

    People must stop being bias think back to the 50,s when we had no lights on the street that did not affect
    wild life why now in this modern time it would.as a matter of fact this does not have any thing to do with wild life its just people that against progress as I said before the lights on the road help people if you are
    walking from one village to the next toy don’t need flash light like before if your car break down you will not be in the dark we should all be thank full for this our country should never be in the dark again but like every thing else you will meet opposition .

    • Anonymous
      August 30, 2017

      yeah, yeah Wallace, just like plastic bags, bottles and Styrofoam are progress, not so?

    • zandoli
      August 30, 2017

      Walking from one village to the next at 11:30 pm is your idea of progress?

  5. Real Truth
    August 29, 2017

    PS. Most of these lights won’t last long…………..Easy come easy go……….

    • Anonymous
      August 30, 2017

      Especially if they place them inside the crash barriers. Whose bright idea was that?

    • Anonymous
      August 31, 2017

      If they are made in China just think what happened to the last pair of shoes you bought that were made in China.

      • theLateBath
        August 31, 2017

        last pair of shoes i bout IN china was in 2012. I still wear them regularly. the sole was replaced last year and the leather upp is still very sturdy. The stitching is stil in tact. Peole need to realize that China also produces very top quality merchandise. However what is sold here is the lower end cheap commodities that they mass produce and sell at a profit, even though to us they seem cheap (cost and quality)

  6. ??
    August 29, 2017

    Oh boy, DLP just can’t win……. Everything they do is bad according to the UWP. Weh! weh! weh! Not even the road they want lit.

    • Dominican
      August 30, 2017

      I can never think of Bernard Wiltshire as a UWP supporter. He has been a left-wing socialist all his life. Anyway, the issue at stake has nothing to do with politics but the quality of the environment and I support him on that.

  7. Titiwi
    August 29, 2017

    Bernard has a point. Light can be a pollutant. Dominica is still one of the few places in our hemisphere where one can see the stars at night.

  8. Gouti
    August 29, 2017

    Sometimes I wonder: Do we have bionic eyes to see with satisfaction in the dark the majestic beauty of the nature Isle? Try walking as a tourist in the forest in pitch dark? I am sure you would not enjoy the view, or be in good health and spirit. look like a tete chien never wrap your foot, or you crash land in a precipice. I am not too sure is wild life alone living along the highways, somebody please explain that to me. Wouldn’t the light make me see nocturnal creatures that we would not normally see in the day. Now drivers will have no excuse for suddenly seeing manicou and couldn’t avoid running the car tires over him. Lighted highways is safe passage for human and animals and excellent view for all. Let’s go Belle Marche in the night.

  9. Chester
    August 29, 2017

    Lighting is ALWAYS good alongside our roads. I have stated many times that our towns and villages are too dark, however, the key player here is Domlec who has rendered our Dominica a VeryDark Place with their high rates. I do hope there are sufficient of these lights to brighten up our communities first then the balance used for the outskirts. Common Justina speak up, you know Grandbay needs lighting up, Lalay street lights, Geneva house, cCenter up by you are so dark they yellow, and far between. Speak up before they are all used up. Good project to light up the place.

  10. malabau83
    August 29, 2017

    It’s useless n pointless to put up street lights all along the highway. The are only necessary in rural area with people, let’s keep the natural order of things. It called night for a reason. Let’s also thing of the creatures we share the earth with. The night belongs to some of them.

  11. I'M NOT A PRIME MISTAKE!!!
    August 29, 2017

    Some people’s mind are really warped on that island! I totally agree that as a nature island,there’s no need for lighting the roads where there’s no need! This is not what is considered development! Not even in the U.S.A.that one will find lights everywhere! This rogues posing as government never seems to get their priorities right! So many communities that are still in the dark and in need of lighting! Areas in need of lighting are; intersections, bridges, bends,curbs,blind spots, landing sites for fisher folks and all publicly frequented areas! What is it that these rogues posing as government clan of that Nothern part with Portsmouth :?:

  12. Hendricks ismael
    August 29, 2017

    The best way to live with nature in dominica is to build several water companies , ship balk water around the world and get rich . That’s our oil and our way out of poverty. All the water is being wasted into the ocean and that’s a crime, the world needs the water , I do not want to hear how difficult it is to do. Don’t beg and wait for the Chinese to do it for you . The only thing we should be talking about every day how do we build water plants that we own ourselves . The government should be talking about controling the water business in the region . What is wrong with us as a people , are we going to stay blind for the rest of our lives and beg for crumbs. We have the answer and it’s water . Talk about it ever day on the radio we do not have to beg we have a resource the world needs . Leave all these trivial things alone it does not create any jobs.

    • Dominican
      August 30, 2017

      Good luck Hendricks, you need it! As long as we can import water cheaper than produce our own how can we possibly compete on the export market? It Is not Dominica alone that has water you know. I love our water but it has to be commercially viable.

  13. Concerned
    August 29, 2017

    As with other things the government does here, the problem will quickly solve itself as the streetlights fall into disrepair and cease to function.

  14. zandoli
    August 29, 2017

    I had my reservations from the moment I read they were planning to light up the roads in the rural areas. This is totally unnecessary and will do more harm than good. Our wild life will definitely be affected negatively when they are exposed to light in the middle of the night.

    What will increase road safety is for drivers to pay more attention to the road, do not drink and drive and drive more slowly and less aggressively.

    I often wonder who comes up with these hair-brain ideas in the first place.

    • Chester
      August 29, 2017

      It takes a Zandoli or two to come up with the idea but you must admin the place is too dark, so lights are beginning to be put in place. It’s all good, unless you have areas where turtles are laying their eggs and lights interfering. :lol:

      • Naturalist
        August 30, 2017

        And how about fruit bats Chester and the possum and the charang. They are disturbed by these lights also. We have to think about these things if we want to continue calling ourselves nature island.

      • Chester
        August 31, 2017

        Naturalist, that’s a drop in the bucket, there’s so much jungle in D’a for bats and shawan they will be ok. But I do think that our communities are active till late night and should be taken care of first.

  15. Roger Burnett
    August 29, 2017

    Earlier in the year I wrote to the P.S. in the Ministry of Public Works as follows:

    As you may be aware, in Europe and the States, there has been considerable public concern about these lights. In the rush to embrace new “green” technology several negative issues have been ignored.

    1. The negative impact on the landscape, especially in rural areas of natural beauty. This concern is particularly relevant to Dominica.

    2. The safe disposal of spent batteries. The batteries have, on average, a life span of five years.

    3. Health concerns when used in residential areas. Too much ‘blue light’ suppresses our biological clock, resulting in lower-quality sleep. This in turn increases the likelihood of heart disease, obesity and diabetes. It damages the immune system and leaves sufferers vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

    4. The safety factor in rural areas is questionable. The pool of light does not extend into the bushes and that is where the danger lurks.

    • Roger Burnett
      August 29, 2017

      Cont’d/…

      5. Except in urban areas, “street lights” are not necessary along Dominica’s roads. It is doubtful that they will make driving at night any safer, whereas the proper use of vehicle headlights will.

      6. LED/solar street lights, will not significantly reduced perceived “global warming”. The saving made is offset by the total power used in their manufacture, installation, maintenance and decommissioning.

      • Chester
        August 29, 2017

        Roger I like reading your opinions but numbers 3, 4 & 6 are a stretch. Even 5.

    • Roger Burnett
      August 29, 2017

      5. Except in urban areas, “street lights” are not necessary along Dominica’s roads. It is doubtful that they will make driving at night any safer, whereas the proper use of vehicle headlights will.

      6. LED/solar street lights, will not significantly reduced perceived “global warming”. The saving made is offset by the total power used in their manufacture, installation, maintenance and decommissioning.

      • Titiwi
        August 29, 2017

        Roger, did you ever get a reply I wonder?

      • August 30, 2017

        This is not for making driving safer it to assist people walking on the road or if your vehicle break down if you are from the country area you would know that villagers still walk from one village to the next not every one have a car some times they stay out late playing dominoes or what ever
        and they are walking in the dark this will help a lot also if a woman is stranded her car brae down
        and she left her phone at home or the battery is dead she can feel safe to walk the road we are only hearing from men I wish women will join in this comment.

      • zandoli
        August 30, 2017

        Wallace, there are a lot of “IFs” in your argument. Not sure that is the best expenditure of precious resources to provide lighting “IF” someone has to walk from one village to the next. Does the same argument apply to the lights in the interior of the island where you will not find people walking those roads at 1 am?

      • Roger Burnett
        August 30, 2017

        Titiwi, I did not even get an acknowledgement, although it was requested.

        Reading through the comments and an earlier ministerial statement, it seems that flat tires at night are a key justification for street lights along rural roads.

        Perhaps our economists can calculate, based on an estimate of flats tires at night along the rural roads that are being lighted, the true total cost of the lights for this purpose. I dare bet that each flat comes to the value of a new vehicle.

        The Chinese shops sell LED lanterns for a few dollars that give a good light in case of a flat or breakdown.

  16. August 29, 2017

    Let there be light, and out of the darkness you know what ? it is very difficult to fathom the reasoning of my brothers comment, can you imagine having a vehicular shut down in an unlit area? think man , think. Bob.

  17. August 29, 2017

    This could only come from you Mr. Wiltshire sit back and watch our country prosper we know your past it was a dark one and I mean a very dark one

  18. August 29, 2017

    That’s what I am talking about what ever the government do will never satisfied all you might like the dark because you have bad intentions some people like the dark because no one can see what they are doing
    have you ever drive on the road and get your car brake down on you or get a flat and have no flash light
    just imagine now that we have more women drivers tell me that you are not just being selfish and taking trash or maby you never travel out of the country or maby you just want to say something find something
    else to write about the days of dark roads should be over

    • Missie
      August 29, 2017

      Like it or not we all should have an opinion that’s what our democracy is about. Don’t try to go to the man’s past, you may have a dark past too, so you post this as anonymous but he stated his name. Don’t state your’s ’cause we don’t want to dig up your past. I respect your opinion as much as his.

  19. Krysta
    August 29, 2017

    You don’t want lights on the high way??? I’m sure this can help reduce accidents.

  20. derp
    August 29, 2017

    100000% agree that is destroying the natural attraction of driving through the Dominican open areas, like seriously this needs to stop, those street lights should be in areas with villages/populated area, not in the middle of nowhere, common sense would dictate that, only in Dominica you seeing nonsense so and they jumping on it saying is development, that is distraction of Dominica natural beauty

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