Bill Text: CA SR76 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to International Dark Sky Week.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-01 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 31. Noes 0. Page 3423.) [SR76 Detail]
Download: California-2023-SR76-Enrolled.html
|
Enrolled
April 02, 2024 |
|
Passed
IN
Senate
April 01, 2024 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 76
| Introduced by Senator Portantino |
March 07, 2024 |
Relative to International Dark Sky Week.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 76, Portantino.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, The aesthetic beauty and wonder of the natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind; and
WHEREAS, The experience of standing beneath a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, and encourages an interest in science and nature, especially among young people and out-of-area visitors within local communities; and
WHEREAS, Eighty percent of the world’s population, including many people in the State of California, live in areas where excessive artificial lighting at night, known as light pollution, disrupts natural darkness. Many people may never experience the visual wonder or ecological and health benefits of living under a dark night sky; and
WHEREAS, There is scientific evidence that light pollution causes adverse effects on human health by disrupting the circadian rhythm and contributing to depression and sleep disorders; and
WHEREAS, Light pollution is a waste of natural resources with a cost that is estimated around $3 billion per year in wasted energy in the United States and that undermines energy security efforts; and
WHEREAS, Due to efforts to protect natural darkness for future generations, the State of California is home to two International Dark Sky Communities: Borrego Springs and Julian; and three International Dark Sky Parks: Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. These communities and parks attract international astrotourism to the state for, among other things, an unpolluted view of the Milky Way Galaxy; and
WHEREAS, California boasts of a wealth of historically renowned observatories that rely on dark skies free from light pollution for research and the support of numerous astronomy clubs across the state that expand our understanding of the universe, provide educational opportunities, and foster a sense of wonder about the night sky in future generations; and
WHEREAS, Numerous parks and public lands within California are home to an abundance of nocturnal wildlife, including, but not limited to, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, many species of bats, owls, and migratory birds, and insects such as moths, crickets, and katydids, and these creatures rely on an undisturbed night environment to hunt, mate, and thrive; and
WHEREAS, DarkSky International is a globally recognized authority on light pollution that has created International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness of light pollution, and that provides free education and resources and offers solutions to the public to encourage the protection and enjoyment of dark night skies and responsible outdoor lighting; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate commemorates April 2 through 8, 2024 inclusive, as International Dark Sky Week in the State of California and encourages all Californians to heed this call to action to raise awareness and support for efforts to protect the precious dark night sky resource; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
