Light Pollution is stealing our stars… and much more

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026
Light Pollution is stealing our stars… and much more

When was the last time you looked up at the night sky in Malta and observed a full sky of star or seen the Milky Way?

Recently, as part of Kamp Kemmuna, the youths participated in an information session on light pollution and its effects on biodiversity, followed by a stargazing session. For some of the youths this was the first time they had explored the night sky in depth – thanks to equipment funded from the National STEM Community Fund of Xjenza Malta.Seeing the Milky Way (locally known as it-Triq Sant’Anna) is often a good indication of the darkness of our night sky.
Yet many of us never get to enjoy this celestial spectacle as our night skies are simply too lit up … according to recent studies the Milky Way is visible for only 12.8% of the Maltese Islands. This should be reason enough to raise national concern in itself… after all, the sky is our common and universal patrimony and dark skies are part of humanity’s cultural and natural patrimony. This often overlooked loss of dark skies is the direct result of light pollution – excessive and artificial lighting causing over illuminated skies whether through glow, glare or light trespass.
Light pollution does not only have negative effects on stargazers and astronomers. It has serious repercussions on ecology and human health while also wasting energy resources and contributing to climate change. Nocturnal animals are especially affected (such as our local breeding seabirds as well as bats) while our own sleep cycles and mental health is also at risk.A landmark initiative during Spain’s 2023 EU Council Presidency in 2023 was the adoption of the Manifesto for Tackling Light Pollution & Proposing EU Light Pollution Monitoring (European Light Pollution Manifesto). It calls for coordinated action to reduce the negative impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN). The manifesto highlights the importance of protecting the night sky, preserving ecosystems, improving human well-being, and increasing energy efficiency through responsible lighting.

Key Objectives of the European Light Pollution Manifesto:

  1. Promote legal and policy recognition of artificial light as a pollutant.
  2. Set targets to reduce light pollution.
  3. Integrate light pollution into environmental monitoring.
  4. Ensure continuous light pollution measurement.
  5. Mitigate light pollution for environmental protection.
  6. Ensure open and accessible lighting data.

ACTION- Take action by signing the form to show your support for the European Manifesto on Light Pollution!.

Locally, repeated calls have been made to the Environment and Resource Authority ERA to implement its own  “Guidelines for the reduction of light pollution in the Maltese Islands” – yet to date it still remains only a draft. The scope of the document was: ‘To halt the increase in the extent of light pollution in the Maltese Islands and to strive to reduce the negative effects that artificial light currently has on amenity, safety, the environment, landscape and the night sky’. Light pollution was once again in the news owing to the commercial floating beach club Noma and its obtructing light and noise pollution.

Friends of the Earth Malta has again called for the implementation of the ERA  draft guidelines in its feedback sent as part of the Public Consultation processes referring to the proposed National Parks as well as to the legal notice on the Dwejra Dark Sky Heritage Area in Gozo.

The ‘good’ news about light pollution i that it is one of the local issues which can be reversed within our own lifetime. It requires awareness and goodwill, legal obligations and subsequent enforcement and a national concerted effort…

Actions we can all take:

In case of any stranded seabirds please contact BirdLife Malta on (+356) 21347645 (EXT 507) (Working hours) or (+356) 79255697 (Evenings and weekends)

In case of other injured wildlife please contact the Nature Trust Wildlife Rescue Team on (+356) 9999 9505

the events at Kamp Kemmuna were part/financed by the National STEM Community Fund of Xjenza Malta, under whose remit operates Esplora Interactive Science Centre, on behalf of the National STEM Engagement Working Group.

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