RESOLUTION NO. 250293
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Sponsor: Councilmember Johnathan Duncan
RESOLUTION - Declaring the week of April 21-April 28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week, raising awareness in protecting the dark skies and the use of responsible outdoor lighting across Kansas City, Missouri, as well as the United States.
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WHEREAS, the aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind and the experience of standing under a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, encouraging an interest in science and nature, especially for young people; and
WHEREAS, light pollution has economic and environmental consequences, which result in significant impacts on the ecosystem and human health; and
WHEREAS, 80 percent of the world’s population lives under a dome of light pollution-excessive artificial lighting at night that disrupts natural darkness-and light pollution represents a waste of natural resources amounting to roughly $3 billion per year of wasted energy in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City, Missouri is within the Mississippi Flyway, the busiest migratory corridor for migrating birds in North America. Skyglow - the fog of artificial light over cities - attracts migrating birds from afar, causing disorientation, exhaustion and disruption to their life cycle; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City is home to nocturnal wildlife species- including beneficial pollinators, owls and mammals that prey on insects and rodents at night-and these beneficial species rely on night environments to hunt, mate, and thrive; and
WHEREAS, Dark Sky International recognizes International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness of the effects of light pollution, provide free education, resources, and solutions to the public, and encourage the protection of and enjoyment of dark skies and responsible outdoor lighting; and
WHEREAS, these initiatives correspond with multiple actions and strategies laid out in Kansas City’s Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby declares April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Kansas City, Missouri; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to DeAnn Gregory, Kansas City Resident and Secretary of DarkSky Missouri, with the Mayor and Council encouraging all residents to recognize the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting in Kansas City, Missouri.
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