Indigenous Australians have long been the world's first astronomers, with their ancient knowledge guiding people, culture, and Country for tens of thousands of years. But this knowledge is now at risk due to light pollution from artificial lighting in towns and cities. The night sky, a living classroom, calendar, map, lore book, and weather forecast, is increasingly obscured by the growing haze of artificial light. This not only threatens the unique way Indigenous Australians understand the world but also has far-reaching ecological and health implications.
The stars are more than just celestial bodies; they are a means of communication and a guide to sustainable practices. Constellations like Wangel, based on the bright orange star Pollux, and Djurt, based on the red-rumped parrot, have been used for millennia to navigate and gather resources. These constellations also hold lore, or rules, that guide sustainable practices, such as not hunting Murray Cod when the Otchocut constellation appears.
The night sky is also connected to songlines, cultural pathways that connect traditional sites and indicate important resources. The Seven Sisters dreamtime story, for example, serves as a celestial map for some Indigenous communities in central Australia, with the seven stars mirroring the location of seven waterholes.
However, light pollution is threatening this ancient knowledge. As cities grow, light pollution from streetlights, floodlights, and buildings spreads, making it increasingly rare to see dark nights and starry skies near urban areas. This has a direct cultural impact on Indigenous communities, making it near impossible to connect with the stars and share Indigenous sky knowledge with younger generations.
Light pollution also affects culturally important species, such as the microbat and nightjar, which rely on darkness for survival. Beyond culture, light pollution has widespread ecological impacts, affecting how animals grow, behave, and breed. Research suggests light pollution can stop clownfish eggs from hatching, shrink the brains of spiders, and disorient threatened seabirds.
The negative effects of light pollution extend to human health, with research showing artificial light, particularly from LED lights and electronic devices, may trigger sleep and mood disorders and certain cardiovascular problems. So, what can we do to mitigate this issue?
The good news is that we can each help reduce light pollution by making simple lifestyle changes, such as turning off outdoor lights when not in use, using lightbulbs with lower brightness and warmer colouring, and choosing light designs that direct light only where needed. We can also better regulate the use of artificial light outdoors, as countries like France have successfully reduced their light pollution levels by regulating lighting use and installation.
By working together, we can tackle light pollution and help keep Indigenous sky knowledge alive, ensuring that this ancient wisdom continues to guide and inspire future generations.
