This March, Chyler took the podium in front of 20 members of the Granville Village Planning Commission and presented her findings on light pollution, sharing ways to improve the lighting conditions in Granville Village.

By taking inspiration from other nations leading in light conservation and awareness, Chyler took notes on rising global concerns and goals for combatting light pollution in her hometown, the Village of Granville.

Chyler’s presentation echoes the U.N’s Sustainable Development Goal #11, to establish sustainable cities and communities by 2030. Through addressing harmful side effects of dependence on artificial lighting to both residents and the natural environment, Chyler emphasized the importance of intentional lighting placement, types and codes from a local government level. Through looking at light pollution as an issue with individual, local, and nationwide solutions, Chyler hoped to spark progressive conversation to local leaders on addressing light pollution. 

After initially reaching out to Debi Yost, the city of Granville’s Village Planner, and Steve Matheney, the Executive Director of Granville Chamber of Commerce, Chyler periodically met with the two for four months prior to her presentation, learning more about light pollution, the city’s previously discussed plans and initiatives and the process of establishing ordinances. 

Along with working with city government, Chyler also collected resources and insight from Devin Mingesbruney, the Ohio Lights Out coordinator, a campaign hoping to decrease bird fatality during night migration due to improperly aimed lighting. She received resources on light pollution from Traci Cardinal from DarkSky Ohio, as well.

As part of field-work for the project, Chyler also completed a Granville night-walk, along with Yost and Matheney, taking note of the lighting situation in the village and coming up with adjustments and points of improvement for her final presentation to the Planning Commission.

Light pollution takes form in different visual distractions, including skyglow, glare, light trespass, clutter and overillumination, as Chyler highlights in her presentation to the committee. These effects lead to disruption to native species, human circadian cycles, driving hazards and a significant local and national waste of cost and energy. Ohio, which has no laws regulating light pollution, has zero spots that are left unpolluted. 

Chyler showcased her research and creativity to the Planning Committee by pitching sustainability-forward ideas and fixes for future and current light installations in the village of Granville. This includes establishing lighting only with clear purpose, being picky about installing warm-toned lights, shielded versions, and utilizing timed and motion sensors to limit excessive use. 

At the conclusion of her 45-minute presentation and Q&A session, surveyed attendees all expressed the Village should take action on Chyler’s project now or sometime soon, and expressed they could now express what light pollution is, its effects and ways of reduction following the presentation. 

As systemic changes are being discussed by the Commission after Chyler’s presentation, she emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and making informed and personal changes to both the local committee and to individuals. 

“Global Scholars has made me more confident in myself and my ability to actually change things,” says Chyler. “I am now excited to take action on the issues that I care about and pursue things without someone else taking initiative first. I have met new people and learned more about potential careers through this program, and have developed soft skills that will help me with anything that I decide to do after high school.”

Crash Course: Measuring Light Pollution in Ohio.

Light pollution is measured using the Bortle Scale, a 9-level measurement of how bright the night sky is at a given point, and how viewable the Milky Way is. A rating of 1is the darkest sky possible, and a rating of 9 is heavily-lit with intense sky glow and muted visibility. 

In Ohio, major cities like Columbus and Cincinnati register as an 8-9 while Granville typically stays around a 6, according to Light Pollution Map. Although there are no 1-rated areas in Ohio, the areas least affected by light pollution are heavily-forested parts of Southeast Ohio (Wayne National Forest and near Hocking Hills).