Sharon - Coconut 79
When I first came to Cambium in 2010, I was immediately captivated by the stunning beauty here. It took my breath away. I fell in love.
Then the sun set. It was DARK. It was REALLY DARK! I was WOWed by the brilliance of the night sky. What an unanticipated surprise, to see the milky way stretching overhead. It was take-my-breath-away stunning. I feel in love a little deeper.
There’s been a lot of changes at New Cambium since 2010, when houses were only dreams—small neighborhoods with houses were built. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, along with those houses came lights—bright white exterior lights that city-dwellers were accustomed to. Many of us came from cultures where showing off your house or garden with spotlights was the thing to do. There wasn’t any thought given to the adverse effects of those lights.
But we quickly saw that it doesn’t take very many of those bright lights to spoil that dark, starry sky.
When I began exploring other lighting options, I learned there are many additional benefits to environmentally friendly lighting; giving guests and residents the benefit of a clear, unpolluted night sky was just the beginning. Environmentally friendly lightening also:
~ Preserves the ecological integrity of our natural environment
~ Contributes to energy efficiency
~ Contributes to medical and psychological health and well-being
~ Improves personal safety and property security
~ Attracts fewer nighttime insects—just imagine your outdoor dinners in a bug free zone!
Changing our exterior lightbulbs would also support every aspect of the NC vision of living in harmony with nature and each other. Fortunately, the low cost of switching to environmentally friendly lighting, made this transition simple. Now, where exterior lights are used, our homes have a welcoming amber glow. Your neighbors’ bright light won’t be shining in thought your window, and indeed, fewer bugs will be joining you on your terrace.
Living at New Cambium full-time, I still get wowed by the starry stay. I find delight and peace when I’m on my rooftop oohing and aahing at shooting stars steaking across the sky.I don’t take that for granted.
These days, many people live in places where city lights make stargazing impossible. I know what we have here at New Cambium is increasingly rare. I love seeing visitors’ awe and childlike wonder when they experience the brilliance of our starry night sky. For some guests, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen the Milky Way! Sometimes those visitors are literally speechless. Who needs to talk when the stars are singing so loudly?
When was the last time you stood under a canopy stars?
Artificial light at night has revolutionized the way we live and work outdoors, but it has come at a price. When used indiscriminately, outdoor lighting can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view of the universe. from www.darksky.org
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