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Title details for The Darkness Manifesto by Johan Eklöf - Available

The Darkness Manifesto

On Light Pollution, Night Ecology, and the Ancient Rhythms that Sustain Life

by Johan Eklöf
Owen Findlay
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
*Winner of the Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability*
*Named a Best Book of the Year by Scientific American*

This timely and captivating look at the hidden impact of light pollution is "rich in revelation and insight...lyrical" (The Wall Street Journal) and urges us to cherish natural darkness for the sake of the environment, our own well-being, and all life on earth.
How much light is too much light? Satellite pictures show our planet as a brightly glowing orb, and in our era of constant illumination, light pollution has become a major issue. The world's flora and fauna have evolved to operate in the natural cycle of day and night. But in the last 150 years, we have extended our day—and in doing so have forced out the inhabitants of the night and disrupted the circadian rhythms necessary to sustain all living things, including ourselves.

In this "well-researched and surprisingly lyrical" (The New Statesman, UK) book, Swedish conservationist Johan Eklöf urges us to appreciate natural darkness, its creatures, and its unique benefits. He ponders the beauties of the night sky, traces the errant paths of light-drunk moths and the swift dives of keen-eyed owls, and shows us the bioluminescent creatures of the deepest oceans. As a devoted friend of the night, Eklöf reveals the startling domino effect of diminishing darkness: insects, dumbfounded by streetlamps, failing to reproduce; birds blinded and bewildered by artificial lights; and bats starving as they wait in vain for insects that only come out in the dark. For humans, light-induced sleep disturbances impact our hormones and weight, and can contribute to mental health problems like chronic stress and depression. The streetlamps, floodlights, and neon signs of cities are altering entire ecosystems, and scientists are only just beginning to understand their long-term effects. The light bulb—long the symbol of progress and development—needs to be turned off.

"Urgent...vivid...eye-opening" (Publishers Weekly), and ultimately encouraging, The Darkness Manifesto outlines simple steps that we can take to benefit ourselves and the planet. In order to ensure a bright future, we must embrace the darkness.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    February 14, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781797153919
      • File size: 159101 KB
      • Duration: 05:31:27

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      October 24, 2022
      Ecologist Eklöf (Bats) bemoans the loss of darkness in this eye-opening treatise on light pollution. Such pollution is growing by an estimated 2% every year, he writes, and most of that light “spills out into the sky” and causes ecological damage. Citing gleaming metropolises such as Hong Kong and Singapore as well as tourist meccas like Las Vegas, Eklöf cautions that excess light can be linked to health problems in humans—sleep problems, depression, cancer—and also tampers with nature’s biological clocks and ecosystems. In Stockholm, for instance, urban lighting has led blackbirds to sing spring mating songs all the way through November, and glowing street lamps in the U.K. have lured male fireflies away from less-bright mates. As well, Eklöf describes dung beetles that use moonlight for navigation, plunges into the night sea to witness bioluminescent creatures’ “fireworks of blue light,” and marvels at night vision in cats. It’s all in service of his argument that people should “protect the darkness,” in part by turning off lights, venturing out in the dark at night, and imploring local politicians to fight against light pollution. Urgent and vivid, this account shines. Agent: Paul Sebes, Sebes & Bisseling Literary.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Owen Findlay gives an arresting narration of this timely audiobook, which explores the damaging impact of light pollution upon the world's ecosystems. In an impassioned tone, Findlay conveys Swedish researcher Ekl�f's proposals for less artificial light and a more authentic daylight to darkness ratio. The potent effects of the 150-year history of artificial light upon the circadian rhythms, mating habits, and food procurement protocols of many species, including humans, is set forth in persuasive detail. At times, Findlay's long pauses add a note of theatricality, which conflicts with the tone of the text. But his resonant voice is pleasing to the ear, and his clear enunciation and ease with French, Italian, and German words are impressive. In all, a powerful argument for making small changes to create a more natural world. M.J. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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