Environment | Light festival raises question marks over light pollution

The Light Festival, considered by the government to be a big success, is now prompting worries among local citizens about light pollution, as reported in the Chinese media.
A local environmental association has questioned the Government Tourism Office (MGTO) about the reasons behind the decision to place the light festival in such densely populated areas, such as the Largo de Santo Agostinho, and the Igreja de São Lourenço.
Joe Chan, President of Macau Green Student Union, is concerned about these events which disturb neighboring residents and contribute to the deterioration of bird habitats. In his opinion, they could take place in more sparsely-populated, open squares, instead of being set in narrow spaces.
“Most people seek peaceful environments around the community they live in, especially on holidays. The quality of life for Macau residents should be a top priority of this government, instead of catering to the preferences of tourists,” Chan said in a recent interview to Cheng Pou.
According to Chan, leisure tourism exists as a sustainable, low-pollutant model oriented toward moderate consumption.
When referring to light pollution, Chan pointed out that harm by light doesn’t have an immediate effect and that is why people aren’t aware of the potential harm after light related events have taken place.
To show how some developed countries are protecting their environments from light pollution, Chan mentioned that some European countries allow lit signs only in commercial areas, and that some Asian countries set limits as to the intensity of light. Another one of his concerns is that light pollution can have a negative impact on people’s immune systems.
Chan believes that the government should ensure that public facilities do not overuse outdoor lighting.
“People from Macau can’t even see the stars now and feel aggrieved when looking up to the sky,” Chan said.  Staff reporter