I was told this is the reason the CN tower is practically invisible at night.
I think it's a bit over the top - akin to stopping all construction work because hibernating squirrels might suffer in the process.
Lights have been fundamental to human culture for millenia. We build things, we decorate them, we light them up. Light is scientifically proven to stimulate the mind and prevent depression. It's even more important when you're in the upper reaches of the temperate belt and average 8 hours or less of daylight each day.
Toronto also has some of the cheapest electricity in North America. Yet, we pale in comparison to most North American cities when it comes to lighting up our public spaces. Public spaces are just those - spaces for people to congregate, celebrate and feel good about life and the city they live in. Yet, we give them dour, dark spaces to call home. Take a walk down Yonge St and you might be forgiven for forgetting it's Xmas season. Where's the cheer? It's a thousand feet up in the sky with the migratory birds.
(Disclaimer: This piece was written by someone prone to SAD).
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8 comments:
Is the light out all night? Or only after a certain time?
Wow.
Maybe it's my SAD talking, but I feel guilty for wanting lights now if the birds are going to die for it.
So interesting that we blogged about SAD at a similar time. I think this is truly a sign that I should never move to Canada. I would be miserable without the light.
Crap. Dammit. Guilty! ARG!!!!!!!!!
But TQ asks a good question. Is it all night?
The policies apply all the time. It's really stupid. I mean one of the suggestions on the website is that if you're working late in the office, switch off the main lights and use a desk lamp!!!! What the hell??? Why don't we go back to candle lights? I'm sure it'll be much easier on the birds.
I wouldn't mind if they switched everything off at 11pm, but for sanity's sake, put some lights on rest of the evening!!! Or if you care so much about the birds, stop building tall and start building squat and dense - like DC or Paris. But please, please, please put some lights at street level!!!
I don't want any birds to die for it, but let's face it. We build homes on animal territory. We displace countless creatures over our lifetimes. Our mere existence is a threat to some of them. We're biologically carnivorous and most of us feed on animals.
Let's see if the city of Toronto will ban all meat sales to protect cow lives. Let's see if the meat & potatoes crowd will vote those councillers back into office.
Haha and I thought only in India did we thrive on ridiculous bans.
So is bird hunting illegal in Canada? Maybe Canada needs Dick Cheney as the next PM - especially with all the sand oil
;-)
Wow.. Nothing like lights to haelp witht he mood esp during long winters.
wow, feel so bad for you. Maybe Toronto could figure out how NYC manages to light up Times Square 24/7 without killing birds.
manu: the government here reminds me of India circa 1990.
anon: no, thanks. you guys can keep him - pacemaker and all.
chic_mommy: I'm sure birds have learnt over the years to avoid Times Square :)
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