[Recommendations]

1.    To determine the competent authority(ies) in charge

Dark Sky Protection and Star Sky Culture is a cross-border area which involves diverse fields. Based on the international experience, the insufficient scientific education relating to light pollution and night sky is a prominent social issue, which requires long-term efforts to improve.  Domestically, as for reality, CBCGDF Dark & Starry Sky Committee is currently working as the only specialized agency to advocate and promote, and the China Association for Science and Technology along with some of its affiliated institutions have also given support and cooperated. We recommend that China Association for Science and Technology, serving as the leading and guiding organization, cooperate to provide strong guidance and support in controlling light pollution, promoting night sky protection and culture in China. We also recommend that the relevant departments of the state should clarify and implement it.

2. To set up special projects.

In September 2016, the Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST) put forward that dark sky protection and star culture should be regarded as innovative projects in Tibet assistance, which will introduce new ideas and create new highlights for environmental protection and social development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is suggested that special or comprehensive projects should be established on a wider scale and at a higher level, so as to make them truly a national project. The "Dark Sky Protected Areas" project will make up for the shortcomings of optical observation in China, accumulate experience for exploring light pollution control, enhance China's voice in international light pollution research and control, and show the image of a responsible big country to the world.

3. To forming a joint force of work and promotion.

From international experience and domestic pilot projects, dark sky protection sites are generally established on the basis of the original national parks, natural ecological areas or tourist attractions. The investment and construction are not large, but the dark sky protection site involves many aspects of work. Such as: need the support of local government or scenic area leaders, need to coordinate the relationship with the original natural ecological area or scenic area, need lighting experts and manufacturers to assist in the construction or transformation of outdoor lighting facilities, need to give appropriate guidance in the organization of popular science and tourism activities, and promote the publicity of popular science at social level, etc.

4. To innovate star culture industry

It is suggested that a special "Star Culture Industry Fund" be jointly set up by the government and social forces to develop a number of dark sky protection sites near large and medium-sized cities in about five years to provide urban residents, especially children, with a space science popularization and tourism base. Therefore, we should strengthen guidance and form a sustainable development with public welfare as the guide and industry as the support, which has Chinese characteristic.  

5. To strengthen international contacts and cooperation.

Over the past few years, the Star Working Committee of China Green Fair has continuously participated in the annual meeting of the International Night Association and delivered keynote speeches, introducing China's work and efforts in the protection of the night sky, which has been widely recognized and affirmed by the international community. At the same time, it has made the international community understand China's attitude and work as a responsible big country and suggested that China should be strengthened and expanded its efforts.

6. To legislate on prevention and control of light pollution.

The formulation of laws and regulations for the prevention and control of light pollution in China lags. It is urgent to promulgate regulations and standards for urban lighting and energy consumption. The lag and absence of relevant laws and regulations make it difficult to quantify the standards and hazards of light pollution, the subject who should be found to solve the hazards caused by light pollution, and how to punish the manufacture and production of light pollution without specific guiding regulations and opinions. It is suggested that urban lighting standards and lighting industry standards should be amended or legislated separately.

 (1) It is suggested that the law should be amended to strengthen the harmfulness of light pollution, to determine the subject of legal responsibility and the responsibility of administrative organs, etc.

 (2) To formulate the "Standards for the Quality of the Light Environment", which is the basic standard for the prevention and control of light pollution. On this basis, we should formulate relevant standards for light pollution discharge and monitoring methods. At the same time, social organizations qualified with publishing standards are encouraged to participate in the formulation and publication of relevant standards to effectively promote the prevention and control of light pollution.

 (3) To formulate policies and principles including prevention and control principles, planning and administrative supervision, especially to encourage social organizations to participate in the prevention and control of light pollution;

(4) Setting up a mechanism for resolving complaints and disputes, and the liability for damages, etc.

(5) Clearly encourage technological innovation in light pollution prevention and control, including prevention and absorption of light pollution.

At the same time, in addition to formulating relevant laws and regulations for light pollution in urban areas, we suggest that we should accelerate the formulation of relevant laws and regulations or guidance for dark sky environmental protection in special areas (such as scientific research and observation sites, natural habitats, dark sky protection areas, etc.).

By / Wang Yanqing