International Initiative in Defence of the Quality of the Night Skies as Mankind's Scientific, Cultural and Environmental Right
"The sky, our common and universal heritage, is an integral part of the environment perceived by humanity. Humankind has always observed the sky either to interpret it or to understand the physical laws that govern the universe. This interest in astronomy has had profound implications for science, philosophy, religion, culture and our general conception of the universe"
Proclamation of 2009 as International Year of Astronomy. UNESCO General Conference, 33rd Session. Paris 2005
"Persons belonging to future generations have the right to an uncontaminated and undamaged Earth, including pure skies; they are entitled to its enjoyment as the ground of human history of culture and social bonds that make each generation and individual a member of one human family"
Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Future Generations. Art.1. UNESCO, La Laguna, 1994
This initiative is an international campaign to defend the quality of the night skies and the general right to observe the stars. It is open to the participation of all scientific, cultural and public institutions and associations closely related to the defence of the firmament.
The main objective is to reinforce the importance of having clean skies for mankind. This endangered heritage is of vital importance for science, education, culture, the tourist industry and, of course, for our quality of life. So, one of the main aspects of the initiative will be to spread the word about the technological, economic and cultural benefits, both direct and indirect, of the observation of stars.
This initiative will be launched in La Palma (Canary Islands), in April, 2007, by holding the International Initiative in Defence of the Quality of the Night Skies and the Right to Observe the Stars
One of the main aims of this event will be the promotion of the World Declaration on the Right to Starlight, expressing the commitment to protect this common World heritage.
Nowadays, we can regard the universe as a laboratory with an infinity of yet-undiscovered knowledge. New scientific achievements and technological advantages have been made possible by observing the universe. That is why astronomy and astrophysics observatories must be considered from a broader point of view.
However, access to this resource, which can provide unlimited benefits and knowledge for today's civilisation, is threatened by an uncurbed increase in light pollution, radio-electric disturbances and air pollution. These all have a special impact on the quality of nocturnal observations of the skies.
What we regard as the right to observe the stars directly affects many facets of our lives. The mere opportunity to observe the stars is an unquestionable element of our quality of everyday life. And it is also a benchmark which enables us to value and rediscover the inmense tangible and intangible cultural heritage that mankind has accumulated from observing clear night skies.
Only a few years ago we started understanding that the clarity of the sky has a decisive influence in the conservation of both biological diversity and natural ecosystems. We usually forget that around half the creatures living on Earth are nocturnal. Thus, any degradation in the quality of the night skies will have an unpredictable effect on the equilibrium of the biosphere.
The right to observe the stars and to enjoy a clear and clean sky implies more than just a guarantee of the scientific development or enjoyment by people in general. It also involves a commitment to conserving the environment as well as the possibility to continually obtain technological, economic and cultural benefits. After all, it is a commitment to future generations.
- In La Palma there is one of the biggest and most important astrophysics observatory in the world: the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory. - La Palma is a World Biosphere Reserve. - La Palma is one of the pioneer areas where the Ley del Cielo (an Act protecting the Sky) has come into force. - In 2007 the Gran Telescopio de Canarias (GRANTECAN) will open in La Palma. Due to its specifications it will be the largest and the most advanced telescope in the world. It is the first "grand science" project to be led by Spain and located in Spain.
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Future Generations, enacted in La Laguna, 1994, on the occassion of a meeting between UNESCO-experts and the Cousteau team, seekeing for the right of future generations to enjoy a pure sky. - The proclamation of 2009 as International Year of Astronomy in the UNESCO Executive Committee held in August 2005, on occassion of the 400th anniversary of the first telescope of Galileo Galilei.
Among others:
- To promote the worldwide Declaration of the Right to the Starlight as a common World Heritage.
- To foster international initiatives to defend the quality of the night sky and the observation of stars.
- To make an international appeal for the need to limit the impact of light, radio-electric and atmospheric pollution on the quality of observation of the sky.
- To open a window to the new forms of sustainable and creative tourism, promoting the universe and the starlight as basic resources in responsible holiday destinations.
- To promote the concept of " Starlight Reserves " in protected natural areas and their surroundings.
- To develop the initiative of clean skies within the framework of the World Biosphere Reserves by the UNESCO.
- To develop the proposal of founding an international network of institutions and bodies supporting the quality of the light of the night sky and the right to observe the stars.
The Starlight initiative is based upon many experiences defending the night sky all over the planet. Among others:
- International conferences or declarations supporting the night sky, which have been held in the last decade. Such as: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Future Generations (1999) or the Venice Declaration (2002).
- The introduction of international associations and initiatives against the evergrowing light pollution, affecting our planet. Such as the one developed by the International Dark Sky Association.
- The approval of acts and regulations related to the protection of the night sky.
- The opening of offices and technical bodies focused on the protection of observation from light, radioelectrical and atmospheric pollution. Among others, the Oficina Técnica para la Protección de la Calidad del Cielo (belonging to the IAC, Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), the Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute, or the OPCC (Oficina de Protección de la Calidad del Cielo del Norte de Chile) in Chile.
- The evergrowing consideration of the night sky as a resource of sustainable development.
