Loss of the Night - Conference in Brussels

Recent decades have seen a profound transformation of the nightscape. Artificial light has positive connotations of security, wealth, and modernity. The result is that an increasing proportion of the Earth's surface is illuminated at night, leading to changes in not only the quantity of light, but also in the quality (color spectra). While new lighting technologies will undoubtedly play a critical role in a more energy-effcient Europe, these must be coupled with a better understanding of the impacts to culture, society, health, the economy, and the environment.

The 'Verlust der Nacht' ('Loss of the Night') consortium is addressing the impact of artificial light using a holistic approach. The consortium combines the researchand technology expertise of seven institutes of the Leibniz Association, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, the Freie Universität Berlin, and the Technische Universität Berlin. While 'Verlust der Nacht' marks an important milestone in trans-disciplinary research, a broader, European-scale outlook is the logical next step.

The purpose of this conference is to introduce the research platform "Loss of the Night" and the research approach on EU level. Members of the EU institutions are invited as well as international scientists and representatives of industry and research institutions to initiate a discussion about future research priorities.


Invitation and Programme

Speech of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Belgium