Background: The problem of light pollution in China has become more severe and has received increasing attention. At the same time, another issue has been exposed: the absence of relevant laws on light pollution prevention in China.

1. Introduction to the status quo of light pollution in China

Light pollution is a new form of environmental pollution following exhaust gas, wastewater, waste residue, and noise. It is generally divided into three categories: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. The status quo of light pollution in China is very serious, especially in economically developed areas. Excessive lighting and illumination can increase energy consumption and accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions. Light pollution has a massive impact on human health, such as inducing eye diseases, affecting the cranial nervous system, causing insomnia and depression, and leading to the reduction and destruction of biodiversity.

2.  Necessity of legislation on light pollution control

There are no detailed regulations on preventing and controlling light pollution at the laws, regulations, and rules in China. As the fundamental law of environmental protection, the Environmental Protection Law only refers to light radiation, that is, " Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution and Harm Caused by Light Radiation," which is basically not operable. Some places have formulated relevant regulations on light pollution, but the lack of a superior legal basis is not conducive to daily light pollution prevention and management. Therefore, it is essential to speed up the legislation of light pollution prevention and control in China.

Shanghai has issued China's first local standard for light pollution, the Urban Environmental Decoration Lighting Code, which clearly defines the environmental impact of urban facilities and provides sub-regional regulations for residential lighting, public lighting, commercial lighting, industrial lighting, and administrative lighting. This standard is more detailed and operable and can be used as primary reference material in light pollution prevention and control legislation.

3.  Suggestions on speeding up the legislation of light pollution control

Based on the current problematic situation of light pollution in China, the following suggestions are proposed:

 1.  Amend the Environmental Protection Law and other relevant laws, clarify the legal definition of light pollution, and stipulate the applicable legal provisions for preventing, controlling, and treating light pollution.

2.  The State Council should formulate and promulgate the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Light Pollution as soon as possible, clarify the regulatory departments of light pollution, and strengthen the environmental management of light pollution prevention and control.

3.  The Law on the Prevention and Control of Light Pollution shall be formulated when conditions are ripe. A series of environmental standards for light pollution shall be acquired based on this superior law.

To sum up, it is suggested that the Chinese government take further actions, seize the legislative opportunity, accelerate the legislation of light pollution prevention and control, and jointly promote the legalization process of environmental pollution prevention and control in China.

Translator/ Syying C

Original Chinese article

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tp7xR0XXHjAp-iebb-NJJA

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