Dutch organizations aim to reduce light pollution in the wadden sea region
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Forty-three parties including the Rijksoverheid and Staatsbosbeheer signed a declaration in October 2016 to protect the darkness of the Waddengebied, a coastal region in the Netherlands.
This initiative, known as Dark Sky Werelderfgoed Waddengebied, seeks to limit excessive artificial light from outdoor fixtures, advertisements, and offices. Ecologists note that such light pollution disrupts the biological rhythms of plants and animals while making stars and planets less visible.
De Wrede of the Friese Milieu Federatie reports that some coastal areas, such as the port of Harlingen, have improved their lighting practices. However, she notes that increasing industrial zones continue to introduce new light sources. Jorian Moree, a cultural geographer, observes that convenience often leads people to leave all lights on rather than assessing which specific lamps are necessary. Business owners in Lauwersoog launched the Donkerte masterplan in 2023 to address these issues.
The project aims to reduce light emissions in the harbor by 50 percent within three years by dimming lights and installing motion sensors. Klaas Laansma, the project leader, stated that these changes allowed the Milky Way to become visible over Lauwersoog during a 2024 campaign when clouds cleared. Researchers from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen confirmed that measurements show a decrease in light levels.
