Bill > S0339

This resolution declares the months of March through May and August through October as "Lights Out Nights in South Carolina Season", urging residents to reduce non-essential lighting during these critical bird migration periods. The resolution highlights that millions of migratory birds travel through South Carolina's coastal areas, with 80% of these songbirds migrating at night using celestial navigation cues. Light pollution can disorient these birds, making them vulnerable to building collisions, with 60% of birds that strike buildings dying as a result. The resolution, supported by Audubon South Carolina, emphasizes that eliminating non-essential interior and exterior lighting between 11 PM and dawn can prevent these collisions. Additionally, the resolution notes that reducing light pollution not only helps protect bird populations but also benefits human mental and physical health, supports declining insect populations, and enables better stargazing. The document frames this initiative within South Carolina's commitment to natural beauty, biodiversity, and conservation, particularly in the context of the state's rapid growth and development.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0339&session=126&summary=B