Designing Landscape Lighting for a Healthy Environment - Meeting the Challenge of Light Pollution
For years, scientists have been decrying the dangers of air pollution and water pollution. We have seen the impacts that a buildup of harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and a suite of halogen-bearing gases (like fluorocarbons) that are derived from industrial activities can bring. Evidence of man-made climate change confronts us on a daily basis as devastating heat waves, droughts, and forest fires devastate our nation. Water pollution from an overuse of toxic chemicals by industrial, agricultural and non-professional users have poisoned waterways, limited access to clean drinking water and disrupted eco-systems. Within the last 15 years however, another insidious form of pollution has been gaining the attention of researchers around the world. They have discovered that night-time light pollution is a serious threat with wide-ranging impacts to human health as well as to our natural environment. Many researchers believe that “immediate measures should be taken to limit artificial light at night in main cities and inside houses.”
Updates from The Perennial Plant Association Symposium
Des Moines, Iowa is typically not considered a destination city. Last July however, it became one as horticulturists, designers and garden enthusiasts flocked to the city to attend the annual Perennial Plant Association’s (PPA) National Symposium. Embassy’s Seasonal Color Specialist JoAnn Prieto and designer Abby Scott attended, bringing back a wealth of new information, exciting ideas and dozens of new varieties to share with their colleagues and clients.
