Let's say you needed a new hallway light. Would you purchase an outdoor fixture capable of illuminating Wrigley Field -- and aim the fixture sideways? Would you install the fixture without its dome or shade? Of course you wouldn't. You would purchase an appropriately sized fixture, install the shade, and aim it at its subject.

While no one would stand for inappropriate indoor lighting, the same care is often not taken when outdoor lighting decisions are made. And the result is that our night skies have become filled with glare, a phenomenon called light pollution.

In many parts of the United States, night times are no longer the same. Glares and misguided glows, often emanating from poor quality street and building lighting, have corroded our nightscapes. Many cities and towns suffer from poor night sky views. Distorted views are so often the norm that is only the rare trip to the mountains that reminds many people that our skies have been so affected.

Light pollution is largely caused by poor quality lighting. Proper lighting requires the kind of planning and calculation that is often ignored when lights are installed. Proper lighting must be shielded, so that it is directed and not lost into the skies. Proper lighting also requires moderation. Just the right amount should be used. Too much leads to pollution. And proper lighting must be directed downward, on its subject, rather than sideways or toward the skies.

Fortunately, an important organization called the International Dark-Sky Association, is fighting to restore our nighttime environment for all of us. Its address is 325 Cloudes Mill Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304-3080. You can visit IDA's website at www.darksky.com.

According to Bob Gent, IDA's Public Relations Officer, IDA was co-founded in 1987 by Dr. David Crawford, astronomer at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, and Dr. Tim Hunter, a medical doctor at the University of Arizona Medical Center. IDA has achieved nonprofit, educational organization status from the IRS.

IDA's mission is to promote quality outdoor lighting that conserves energy, reduces glare, improves safety and vision, while preserving the beauty of our night skies. "We believe everyone wins by following our recommendations. Our nearly 4,000 members from 70 nations are committed to these goals." 4,000 members from 70 nations shows that IDA is very serious about restoring our collective night vision!

IDA is steadfastly reaching its ambitious objectives through public education programs. The organization has published nearly 200 information fact sheets and a quarterly newsletter. IDA also maintains an award winning web page at www.darksky.org, and hosts regional, national and international meetings to discuss the problems of light pollution and methods of reaching win-win solutions.

The IDA convincingly maintains that we are wasting an enormous amount of energy, perhaps two billion dollars annually in the USA alone. If you are a building owner or operator, you should examine your own lighting and make sure that you are not suffering from light loss waste.

In addition, we are just now beginning to understand the full scope of environmental harm to birds that migrate at night and to nocturnal animals. In fact, the National Parks Conservation Association has issued a new policy paper, warning of our Vanishing Night Skies.

Gent explains, as urban sprawl and growth continues, we must take extra special care to address the light pollution problem. If we neglect to do so, "we will lose touch with the splendor of our night skies. The star filled skies have been with us for millions of years. Do we really want to lose them?"

Developers should become familiar with glare and light trespass problems, and investigate quality outdoor lighting sources. They should insist that all outdoor lighting meets minimum quality standards. Better quality lighting will yield better site illumination, enhance safety and will save energy.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.